Story: Freshwater fish

Canterbury mudfish

Canterbury mudfish

Canterbury mudfish (Neochanna burrowsius) occur at low elevations in Canterbury, from about Oxford south to the southern banks of the Waitaki River. It was once widespread through the Canterbury Plains, in wetlands that are now largely drained. The species is now restricted to small populations in fragile wetland remnants. In 2003 the Department of Conservation ranked both the Canterbury and Burgundy mudfish (Neochanna heleios) as nationally endangered. The biggest threat is habitat degradation, mainly the drainage of wetlands on private land.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10056095
Photograph by Sjaan Chateris

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Bob McDowall, 'Freshwater fish - More galaxiids', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/11117/canterbury-mudfish (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Bob McDowall, published 24 Sep 2007