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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
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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.

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.

Is the Banded kokopu edible?

Yes, the Banded kokopu is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gebande kokopu sourced
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
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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