Quick guide to New Zealand Galaxiidae by Jody Richardson and Bob McDowall + Note: identification of galaxiid species relies on accurate fin ray counts; users should refer to Northland mudfish McDowall, R.M. (1996) Water & Atmosphere 4(3): 27 for instructions on correct counting of Neochanna heleios principal caudal rays and others. Where fin ray counts are given, occasional variants should be expected and it may be necessary to perform counts on more than one specimen.
NO For many species, the location and fish size may assist with identification. For such information, including photos of whole specimens and distribution maps, refer to McDowall, YES Brown mudfish R.M. (2000), The Reed field guide to New Zealand freshwater fishes, or this web site Is the caudal peduncle http://www.niwa.co.nz/rc/freshwater/fishatlas/. deeper than long? Neochanna apoda The taxonomy of the South Island non-migratory galaxiid group still requires work, with at least three distinct Otago/Southland species awaiting formal description and recognition. NO Recently G. vulgaris was split into a northern (undescribed) and southern (true vulgaris) species. Until these tasks are complete, it will not be possible to identify all the galaxiid species with this Does the dorsal fin have quick guide. less than 14 rays? YES Black mudfish Neochanna This guide may not provide for identification of small juveniles, but there is a separate quick guide specifically for juvenile galaxiids that comprise the whitebait catch. Start NO Continued on Are there any Page 2 Eldons galaxias NO pelvic fins? Galaxias eldoni Page 1
YES NO
NO Are there less than 16 Are there 14 Is the lower jaw long and principal caudal rays? principal distinctly upturned? caudal rays?
YES YES YES NO Are there less than 7 Dusky galaxias Are there 15 pelvic rays? Bignose galaxias Galaxias pullus principal caudal Galaxias macronasus rays and five YES pelvic fin rays? NO Are there six pelvic fin rays YES NO and 15 principal caudal rays? NO Is the tail rounded YES with large flanges? Lowland longjaw Upland longjaw galaxias Dwarf galaxias galaxias YES Canterbury mudfish Galaxias prognathus Galaxias divergens Galaxias cobitinis Neochanna burrowsius Page 1
Dwarf inanga Galaxias Giant kokopu Galaxias argenteus YES Are there more than NO Inanga 17 gill rakers? Galaxias maculatus YES
YES
Gollum galaxias Galaxias gollumoides Chatham mudfish Neochanna rekohua
NO Does the mouth reach NO YES Is the tail forked? back to or beyond rear Start of eyes? Are there seven NO NO pelvic fin rays? Is the caudal peduncle more than twice as long as deep? Page 2 YES NO Does the caudal NO Banded kokopu peduncle have large Galaxias fasciatus Is there a distinct mid-dorsal NO flanges? discontinuity in the colour pattern Is the anal fin origin distinctly Canterbury galaxias (like poorly hung wallpaper)? behind the dorsal fin origin? YES Galaxias vulgaris NO Alpine galaxias YES Galaxias paucispondylus
Is the fish deep-bodied and stout? YES NO Is the head NO Are the pectoral and pelvic fins large, distinctly reaching at least half the distance back to flattened? the pelvic or anal fin bases, respectively? Gollum galaxias YES YES Galaxias gollumoides YES or Roundhead galaxias Shortjaw kokopu Flathead galaxias Koaro Galaxias postvectis Galaxias depressiceps Galaxias brevipinnis Galaxias anomalus Page 2