Banded kokopu
| Banded kokopu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Osmeriformes |
| Family: | Galaxiidae |
| Subfamily: | Galaxiinae |
| Genus: | Galaxias |
| Species: | G. fasciatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Galaxias fasciatus J. E. Gray, 1842 | |
The banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, found only in New Zealand, including the Chatham and Stewart/Rakiura islands. It grows to a length of up to 25 cm. Juvenile banded kokopu are good climbers and can climb up waterfalls.
In some locations, banded kokopu may also be observed feeding at daytime. At feeding time at night they may easily and unobtrusively be observed under red light.[1]
Young giant kokopu are sometimes mistaken to be adult banded kokopu as they can also develop vertical stripes. The easiest way to differentiate between the two species is banded kokopu have a white or silver line and a black half moon shape immediately behind the Operculum, and giant kokopu do not.
The fry of banded kokopu are one of several species of galaxiid caught and eaten as whitebait.
References
- ↑ McCullough, C. D. & Hicks, B. J. (2002). Estimating the abundance of banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus Gray) in small streams by nocturnal counts under spotlight illumination. New Zealand Natural Sciences 27: 1-14p.
- Martinez-Capel, F.; McCullough, C. & Hicks, B. J. (2004). On a regional model for nocturnal habitat requirements of banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) in the North Island, New Zealand. Fifth International Symposium on Ecohydraulics. Aquatic Habitats Analysis & Restoration. International Association of Hydraulic Engineering and Research (IAHR), 109-116. ISBN 90-805649-7-4.
- "Galaxias fasciatus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 6 June 2006.
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2006). "Galaxias fasciatus" in FishBase. March 2006 version.
- NIWA Fish Atlas - Banded Kokopu June 2006