Notes on the presence of the brown mudfish(Neochanna apodagünther) on the west coast of the south Island of New Zealand

Abstract

Summary Two visits to the West Coast revealed that Neochanna apoda Giinther is present in six clearly defined types of habitat examined between Oparara and Whataroa. The location of habitats varied from heavily forested country to open pakihi bog, between sea level and 200 m. A Neochanna apoda habitat was generally uninhabited by any other species of fish; occasionally short‐finned eels (Anguilla australis) and, once, banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) were present. An association with freshwater crayfish (Paranephrops planifrons) was often noted. Neochanna apoda was found in all stages of development from fry to adults over 150 mm in length, and all size ranges were present in some places.