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Brown mudfish (Neochanna apoda) — Galaxiidae

Brown mudfish

Neochanna apoda
Family: Galaxiidae

The Brown mudfish (Neochanna apoda) is a freshwater fish of the family Galaxiidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: New Zealand

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Description

The brown mudfish is a galaxiid freshwater fish (Galaxiidae) endemic to New Zealand. The species grows to about 11 cm and has an elongate, brown, scaleless body without pelvic fins. It lives in swamps, peat pools and temporary forest pools and can survive drought by retreating into moist mud or under leaf litter and breathing air through its skin for a time. It eats small invertebrates and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown mudfish?

The Brown mudfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Brown mudfish live?

The Brown mudfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Oceania: New Zealand

How big does the Brown mudfish get?

The Brown mudfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Brown mudfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown mudfish 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.

More photos

Brown mudfish (Neochanna apoda) — Galaxiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Sam Speight, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Brown mudfish (Neochanna apoda) — Galaxiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Christopher Stephens, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Brown mudfish (Neochanna apoda) — Galaxiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) tabithaanderson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brown mudfish (Neochanna apoda) — Galaxiidae — 5
Christopher Stephens (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Brown mudfish sourced
Scientific name
Neochanna apoda
Family
Galaxiidae
Other names
Brown Mudfish; Brown mudfish; Hauhau; Mud eel; Spring eel verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed 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

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Neochanna

More from the family Galaxiidae

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