Giant kōkopu
New Zealand's largest freshwater fish, known for its amphidromous life cycle and traditional food value.
The giant kōkopu is a threatened ray-finned fish found only in New Zealand. It reaches up to 58 cm and is the largest member of its family, valued as traditional food and farmed in captivity.
- Largest species in the Galaxiidae family.
- Endemic to New Zealand freshwater systems.
- Larvae migrate to sea for four months.
- Can live up to 27 years old.
- Prized as traditional food and for aquaculture.
What it is
The giant kōkopu is a large freshwater fish endemic to New Zealand. It has thick, scaleless skin covered in mucus. The body is broad with strong fins and a large mouth. Adults are olive brown with pale yellow spots and lines. Young fish have vertical bars that fade as they mature. It lacks the silver mark behind the gills seen in similar species. This makes it the largest member of the Galaxiidae family.
Where it lives
This fish lives only in New Zealand. It prefers lowland areas near the coast. Habitats include slow streams, wetlands, lakes, and lagoons. Some populations live in land-locked systems. They avoid warmer waters north of Auckland. Adults stay in fresh water most of their lives.
How it lives
Adults are nocturnal and slow-moving. They hide under vegetation or logs to catch prey. Their diet includes insects, crayfish, spiders, and small fish. Larvae hatch and move to the sea for four months. They return as juveniles in spring. Adults prefer cool water between 11 and 15 degrees Celsius.
Breeding and life cycle
Spawning happens in autumn or winter. Eggs are placed among bank vegetation. They develop in semi-dry conditions before flooding hatches them. Best hatch rates occur at 10 degrees Celsius. Females produce several thousand eggs. Fish reach maturity in two to three years.
Fish and people
Juveniles are part of the whitebait catch. The species is prized as traditional food. It shows potential for aquaculture farming. Captive breeding programs exist successfully. Local names include native trout and Māori trout.
Status and threats
The IUCN lists this fish as Vulnerable since 1996. New Zealand classifies it as At Risk: Declining. Wetland drainage and dairy farming reduce habitat. Loss of riverbank vegetation harms populations. Introduced trout compete for resources. Conservation efforts aim to protect remaining stocks.
Questions people ask about Giant kōkopu
What is the giant kōkopu?
It is a threatened ray-finned fish found only in New Zealand. It is the largest member of the Galaxiidae family. Adults can reach 58 cm in length. It has thick, scaleless skin and olive brown colouring with pale spots.
Where does it live?
It inhabits slow-flowing streams, wetlands, lakes, and lagoons in New Zealand. Most populations are near the coast. Some live in land-locked systems. They prefer cool water temperatures between 11 and 15 degrees Celsius.
How does it reproduce?
Spawning occurs in autumn or winter. Eggs are laid among bank vegetation. They develop in semi-dry conditions until rising water floods them. Larvae then enter the sea for four months before returning as juveniles.
Is it endangered?
Yes, the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable since 1996. Threats include wetland drainage, dairy farming expansion, and loss of riverbank vegetation. Introduced trout also compete with them for resources.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Giant kōkopu", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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