Story: Freshwater fish

Whitebait

Whitebait

Whitebait are the juvenile form of five different species of galaxiid. These ones are īnanga and have just been thawed to be made into whitebait patties. Whitebait are translucent in the water, but begin to take on more colour when caught. Īnanga have dark spots on the lateral line (running the middle of their length) and the back, and tiny black mouths.

Using this item

Private collection
Photograph by Carl Walrond

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 - Galaxiids: īnanga and kōkopu', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/11112/whitebait (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Bob McDowall, published 24 Sep 2007