Story: Coastal fish

Tarakihi school

Tarakihi school

These tarakihi (Nemadactylus macropterus) are pictured in the Kāpiti Marine Reserve off Kāpiti Island (north of Wellington). Tarakihi grow up to 70 centimetres and may reach 45 years of age. Common around all of New Zealand, they are highly sought after by commercial and recreational fishers. The species spawn in a few areas (East Cape, the north-east coast of the South Island and Fiordland). They live mainly over muddy or sandy bottoms and occasionally along reef edges.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10056281
Photograph by Malcolm Francis

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Coastal fish - Fish of the open sea floor', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8831/tarakihi-school (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 12 Jun 2006