Giant kokopu

"For a general article about all 3 kokopu." Taxobox
name = Giant kokopu
status = VU
status_system = iucn2.3
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Osmeriformes
familia = Galaxiidae
subfamilia = Galaxiinae
genus = "Galaxias"
species = "G. argenteus"
binomial = "Galaxias argenteus"
binomial_authority = (Gmelin, 1789)

The giant kokopu, "Galaxias argenteus", is a galaxiid of the genus "Galaxias", found only in New Zealand. It grows to a length of up to 45 cm and is the largest member of the Galaxiidae family. It was the first member of the Galaxiidae family to be discovered, and it was its colour pattern that led to the generic name Galaxias, referring to the profusion of stars in the galaxy. It is also one of the five species that occur in the whitebait runs that enter New Zealand rivers each spring.

The single dorsal and anal fins are large, rounded, and set back close to the large square caudal fin. The pelvic fins are also large. Like all galaxiids it lacks scales and has a thick, leathery skin covered with mucus.

Giant kokopu are primarily a coastal species and do not usually penetrate inland very far. Like banded kokopu and koaro, they can establish land-locked populations as in Lake Brunner near Greymouth.

They prefer slow flowing or still waters such as lakes and swamps, and are usually associated with some form of instream cover like overhanging vegetation, logs, or debris clusters. It is thought they lurk quietly in this cover awaiting their prey, which ranges from koura to terrestrial insects such as spiders and cicadas.

References

* Listed as Vulnerable (VU C2a v2.3)
*
* [http://www.niwascience.co.nz/rc/freshwater/fishatlas/species/giant_kokopu NIWA June 2006]