- Kokopu
Kokopu are a group of three fish found in the rivers, lakes and swamps of
New Zealand and is unique to that land. Kokopu aregalaxiid s and like others of that family it lacks scales and has a thick, leathery skin covered withmucus . Kokopu like streams with plenty of cover (e.g. logs and overhanging boulders) but can also be found in swamps and larger waterways. They mostly feed oninvertebrates that live in the stream beds but also eat insects that fall into the water and will move into the open at night for feeding.There are three known species of Kokopu in New Zealand:
*
Giant kokopu , "Galaxias argenteus "
*Banded kokopu , "Galaxias fasciatus "
*Shortjaw kokopu , "Galaxias postvectis "Kokopu live 5 - 10 years but can reach in excess of 21 years. They spawn in leaf debris in stream beds or during
spring tide s and the eggs hatch about 30 days after being laid. The hatchlings are carried downstream where they spend a short period of time in the sea and return to streams after four to five months. Kokopu sprats are keenly sought by fishers aswhitebait for consumption as a delicacy and are caught in fine meshed nets.Kokopu depend on the natural environment, principally in forested environments, and so have become less common as New Zealand has been cleared of much of its native forest and swampland as a result of colonisation and farming development since the late 1800s. Nevertheless, recognition of the value of
biodiversity and the preservation of natural areas inNational Park s and reserved conservation areas promises to maintain the species.Kokopu suffer from the introduction of trout species that were introduced into New Zealand for sport fishing purposes during the first half of the 20th century by various
acclimatisation societies. Research has indicated that where trout have become established then kokopu are unlikely to be found. Nevertheless, since the kokopu, on average, is smaller in size than trout then where stream and swamp environments cannot support trout and are still in forested areas, kokopu are likely to be found.
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