Kōkopu

Kokopu are galaxiids and like others members of that family lacks scales and has a thick, leathery skin covered with mucus.

Kokopu inhabit streams with plenty of cover (e.g. logs and overhanging boulders) but can also be found in swamps and larger waterways.

They spawn in leaf debris in stream beds or during spring tides and the eggs hatch about 30 days after being laid.

Kokopu sprats are keenly sought by fishers as whitebait for consumption as a delicacy and are caught in fine meshed nets.

Kokopu suffer from the introduction of trout species that were introduced into New Zealand for sport fishing purposes during the first half of the 20th century by various acclimatisation societies.