For a general article about all 3 kokopu.
| Giant kokopu | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Osmeriformes |
| Family: | Galaxiidae |
| Subfamily: | Galaxiinae |
| Genus: | Galaxias |
| Species: | G. argenteus |
| Binomial name | |
| Galaxias argenteus (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 is also one of the five species that occur in the whitebait runs that enter New Zealand rivers each spring. Due to the large size of giant kokopu, it is the only galaxiid species possible of out competing trout, and as such it is thought that the presence of g. argentenus could add to a streams resistance to brown trout invasion[1]
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.