Life history of Galaxias divergens (Salmonoidea: Galaxiidae)

Abstract

Galaxias divergent Stokell is a small, bottom‐dwelling fish inhabiting streams in the North Island and the northern part of the South Island. Its ecology is similar in many respects to that of G. vulgaris. The fry develop in the same environment as the adults, unlike the sea‐going young of several other Galaxias spec'es. Spawning occurs in spring and summer, and at least some of the fish mature at the beginning of their second year. The maximum age attained seems to be about 3 years, and the fish can reach a length of about 80 mm in this time. The food consists mostly of small benthic invertebrates taken from both the stream bed and the drift fauna.