KOARO (Galaxias
brevipinnis)
One
of the most widespread of the Galaxiid family within New Zealand,
with a range from sea level to almost 1000m and 400km inland.
The koaro can be found on the Auckland, Campbell and Chatham
Islands and is also known in Tasmania and southern Australia.
| It
is an elongate fish and almost tubular in shape. In bright
light the head and body of the koaro have a beautiful orange
flecked iridescence. |
 |
The
koaro feeds on various aquatic invertebrates as well as terrestrial
insects and spiders that have fallen into the water. As with
the kokopu and inanga, koaro larvae are swept out to sea after
spawning and then return as whitebait. The koaro is thought
to be relatively long lived, reaching at least fifteen years
of age.
Did
you know?
The koaro has an almost incredible ability to climb falls and
as such can be found in streams above vertical drops that prevent
the passage of most other fish.The young whitebait are known
to climb steep spillways that have been designed to prevent
the passage of fish.
BANDED
KOKOPU (Galaxias fasciatus)
The
banded kokopu is one of the larger galaxiid species, second
only to the giant kokopu. It can grow up to 260mm long, and
is commonly found at around 200mm in length. It is a very strong
climber and can consequently migrate upstream past sizable waterfalls,
enabling it to penetrate quite large distances inland. It is
widespread throughout New Zealand and can be found up to an
altitude of 550m and up to 177km inland, although it is sparse
on the east coast from East Cape to Otago except for Banks Peninsula.
| The
banded kokopu generally prefers small pools in stoney/bouldery
streams which flow through podocarp/ broadleaf forest. |
 |
It consequently feeds extensively on terrestrial insects and
spiders, which fall into the water out of the overhanging vegetation,
as well as on aquatic insect larvae such as caddis and mayfly.
The male banded kokopu matures at two years of age and the female
at three or more years old. Spawning takes place in leaf litter
along stream margins at times of high water and the eggs develop
in this damp environment until they are submerged at the next
time of high water. The eggs then hatch and the resultant larvae
are swept out to sea, where they feed and grow for up to four
months and then return as whitebait.
Did
you know?
The whitebait from the banded kokopu are the smallest of the
galaxiid family being only 40 – 45mm long. They are a
large part of the fishery in some rivers especially in October
and November.
CANTERBURY
GALAXIAS (Galaxias vulgaris)
Also
known as common river galaxias, this species is found in fast
flowing & rocky South Island rivers from the Motueka headwaters
to the Waitaki. It can be found from 1000m elevation to sea
level but is uncommon in the large braided rivers of the plains.
The Canterbury galaxias is shy and nocturnal but may sometimes
be seen feeding by day. They primarily feed on stream-drift
aquatic insect larvae but are known to take terrestrial invertebrates
such as beetles & spiders. They mature at 1-2 years and
spawn in the spring, leaving an egg mass under a large boulder.
Did
you know?
Even fish experts have trouble differentiating the koaro from
the canterbury galaxias at a glance. The koaro has more fleshy
pectorals than the canterbury galaxias which it uses to climb
with.
INANGA
(Galaxias maculatus)
Inanga are common throughout low-lying New Zealand and can also
be found in western and eastern Australia and South America.
Unusually for a galaxiid species, the adults can be found in
shoals, most commonly in open and still/gently flowing water.
Inanga are still a widespread and abundant species, although
there has been much habitat deterioration. They can also be
found as solitary fish in swifter flowing waters, generally
close to stream banks and debris where there is cover and the
current is slower. Inanga usually reach maturity at 1 year.
| Spawning
is in autumn during spring tide and the eggs are laid on
vegetation on the riverbanks. |
 |
These develop for at least two weeks and hatch on later spring
tides when the eggs are submerged again. The larvae then migrate
to sea to feed & grow for 21-23 weeks before returning to
rivers in spring as fully formed whitebait of 50-55mm. Inanga
feed on a diverse range of aquatic invertebrates found throughout
the water column.
Did
you know?
Whitebait, a well known local delicacy, are the juveniles of
several Galaxiid species which are returning to freshwater from
the sea. The whitebait of the inanga make up the majority of
the whitebait catch.
SHORTJAW
KOKOPU (Galaxias postvectis)
The
aptly named shortjaw kokopu is a sleek, deep bodied fish that
has a long snout which overhangs its mouth. This ‘undershot’
jaw may help it graze the surfaces of in-stream boulders for
caddisfly larvae in addition to the terrestrial insects and
spiders it feeds extensively on.
| It
is found in low to moderately elevated streams, along a
large section of the west coast of both North and South
Islands. |
 |
It is also found within the Marlborough Sounds and Bay of Plenty.
The shortjaw kokopu prefers stable streams with boulders and
debris under which it can find cover, generally within podocarp/broadleaf
forests. It probably matures at an age of two to three years,
however a spawning site is yet to be discovered.
Did
you know?
Until recently there was grave concern about the numbers of
shortjaw kokopu left in the wild but this has been alleviated
to an extent by the discovery of additional populations.
