Shortjaw kōkopu explained

The shortjaw kōkopu (Galaxias postvectis) is a galaxiid fish, endemic to New Zealand.[1] [2] They are large, scaleless fish which inhabit stable pools in cascading, bouldery streams with forest cover. Shortjaw kōkopu are amphidromous, with the fry going to sea after hatching, and returning as juveniles to fresh water where they grow to adulthood. They may grow to a maximum of 350mm in total length, but more commonly reach NaNmm.[3]

The shortjaw kōkopu live in microhabitats that have more large particles at the bed of the body of water (substrates) and more places to seek safety compared to all nearby possible habitats.[4] [5] During the night, they remain in calmer areas like pools, whereas during the day shortjaw kōkopu spend their time in places with large substrates and a more tumultuous water surface, staying in both flow channel and pool habits.[6]

In 2023 a newly recorded population of this species was detected in the Kopuawhara catchment north of Māhia Peninsula in Hawkes Bay using environmental DNA.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2009-06-04. Shortjaw kōkopu. 2021-07-15. NIWA. en.
  2. Web site: Galaxias postvectis, Shortjaw kokopu : fisheries . 2023-07-30 . fishbase.mnhn.fr.
  3. Book: McDowall. R.M.. The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Freshwater Fishes. 2000. Reed. Auckland. 0 7900 0725 8.
  4. Book: McQueen, Stella. A photographic guide to freshwater fishes of New Zealand. 2013. Rod Morris. 978-1-86966-386-5. Auckland. 858411018.
  5. Web site: 2007-02-28 . Shortjaw kokopu . 2023-07-30 . NIWA . en.
  6. McEwan . Amber Julie . Joy . Michael Kevin . August 2014 . Diel habitat use of two sympatric galaxiid fishes (Galaxias brevipinnis and G. postvectis) at two spatial scales in a small upland stream in Manawatu, New Zealand . Environmental Biology of Fishes . en . 97 . 8 . 897–907 . 10.1007/s10641-013-0191-x . 0378-1909.
  7. Web site: 2023-07-31 . Regional council detects rare fish in Hawke's Bay using DNA traces . 2023-07-30 . NZ Herald . en-NZ.