Couldn't see anal fin to discern if this is a NZ Long-finned Eel.
Exciting fish to find. Didn't play nice for the camera sadly. It swam down the seaweed and into the rocks.
~15cm long
~8m subtidal
old image, location accurate to within 50m.
I think. Again it is unusual to have them wash up in reasonable condition
Spotted flopping about on the tide line. Hard to photograph with very strong winds, big sweeps, frothy seas, sun directly overhead etc, and a live fish that just wanted to bury itself. After a bit, gave up and left it in peace in a water filled hollow in the sand. I hope it makes it
Unsure of species
There were several starting to pair up