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Banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) — Galaxiidae

Banded kokopu

Galaxias fasciatus
Family: Galaxiidae

The Banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Galaxiidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25.2 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: New Zealand
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Banded kokopu is a galaxiid (Galaxiidae) from cool fresh water of New Zealand. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a slender, scaleless, brownish body with a rear-set dorsal fin. The body bears narrow, pale crossbands; the juveniles migrate between sea and rivers. As a bottom-oriented fish it shelters among stones and roots of clear streams and hunts insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded kokopu?

The Banded kokopu has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Banded kokopu live?

The Banded kokopu lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: New Zealand

How big does the Banded kokopu get?

The Banded kokopu grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Banded kokopu dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded kokopu is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Banded kokopu edible?

Yes, the Banded kokopu is commonly eaten.

More photos

Banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) — Galaxiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) janicelord, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) — Galaxiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Janey Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) — Galaxiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) ecojimmy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) — Galaxiidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Rudolph89 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded kokopu sourced
Scientific name
Galaxias fasciatus
Family
Galaxiidae
Other names
Banded kokopu; Whitebait verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: New Zealand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Galaxias

More from the family Galaxiidae

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