Neochanna

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Neochanna

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Osmeriformes
Family:	Galaxiidae
Genus:	Neochanna Günther, 1867

species

See text.

Neochanna is a genus of six mudfish species, five restricted to New Zealand, and one to Tasmania with a small enclave on Wilson's Promontory, Victoria, Australia. They are small (up to about 15 cm) freshwater fish that have become specialised for life in a distinctive type of habitat – swamps, drains, and forest pools that tend to dry up in summer. They can exist in these habitats because they have the ability to aestivate during dry summers.

Mudfish are an elongate, slender-bodied group of fish with blunt heads and small eyes. Many species lack pelvic fins, and this is one way to distinguish them from other members of the Galaxiidae family. They also do not have barbels or scales.

Spawning takes place at the beginning of the wet season and probably continues through to early spring. They are non-diadromous so do not have a saltwater phase as many other members of the Galaxiidae family do.

Mudfish, also called kowaro, are regarded as a taonga (treasured) species to Māori iwi in New Zealand, and all six species are threatened. Once widespread in swamps and wetlands, mudfish are now found in only a few sites – mostly on private land. In New Zealand the Department of Conservation is working with landowners to protect these key remaining habitats.