Kōrero: Freshwater fish

Mudfish in a drain

Mudfish in a drain

This black mudfish was found in damp mud in a Waikato farm drain. While many galaxiid species can live out of water for short periods, mudfish can survive for months by a process called aestivation. They must find an environment that provides air, so that they can breathe, and moisture, so they don’t dry out. Burrows in damp mud, under vegetation, or in bits of wood and litter are common spots. If an aestivating mudfish is returned to water it swims straight away. This adaptation allows them to live in environments that are marginal for many other fish.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection
Photograph by Nicholas Ling

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Bob McDowall, 'Freshwater fish - More galaxiids', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/photograph/11118/mudfish-in-a-drain (accessed 28 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Bob McDowall, i tāngia i te 24 Sep 2007