Freshwater fish

Koaro

Koaro. Photo: DOC.
Koaro

Koaro are spectacular climbers and use their flattened fins to scramble up waterfalls in order to reach shady bouldery forest streams. Koaro have a distinctive greenish-brown patterning and commonly grow to a length of an adult handspan (16-18cm) although some have been found up to 30cm long.

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Publications

New Zealand's native freshwater fish factsheet (PDF, 195K)
New Zealand large galaxiid recovery plan (PDF, 980K)
New Zealand non-migratory galaxiid fishes recovery plan (PDF, 162K)

Learn more

Find out about the biology of whitebait and whitebait identification

Journey Up the Creek A bilingual website for students follows a trip up the creek to show how fresh water supports life.

Freshwater board and card games

Contacts

DOC HOTline - 24 hour emergency number

Phone 0800 DOC HOTline (0800 362 468) to report:

Sick or injured wildlife
Whale or dolphin strandings

Conservation for prosperity. Tiakina te taiao, kia puawai