Black mudfish

The black mudfish (Neochanna diversus) is a fish of the family Galaxiidae,[1] found only in swamps and wetlands in the northern half of the North Island of New Zealand, from Kaitaia in the north to the Mokau River in the south. An 85-90% loss of wetlands has occurred, especially from Waikato and Hauraki Plains. The most significant threat is wetland drainage, and this has slowed so the decline has stabilized; other threats include mosquitofish (which eat juveniles and compete with adults), pollution, sedimentation, and fires.[3]

Black mudfish
N. diversus in Waikato, New Zealand
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Galaxiiformes
Family: Galaxiidae
Genus: Neochanna
Species:
N. diversus
Binomial name
Neochanna diversus

It is considered a local delicacy by the local Maori populace when prepared using ancestral cooking techniques. Its length is up to 12 cm. Efforts by the New Zealand Department of Conservation and regional councils have helped protect and reintroduce the fish.[4]

References
  1. West, D.; Crow, S.; David, B.; Franklin, P.; Allibone, R.; Closs, G.; Hitchmough, R.; Surrey, G.; Cooper, D. (2014). "Neochanna diversus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T14506A545893. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T14506A545893.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. "Neochanna diversus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 6 June 2006.
  3. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2006). "Neochanna diversus" in FishBase. March 2006 version.
  4. "NIWA June 2006". Archived from the original on 2006-08-28. Retrieved 2006-06-04.


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