Black mudfish
The black mudfish is a fish of the family Galaxiidae, found only in swamps and wetlands in the northern half of the North Island of New Zealand, from Kaitaia in the north to the Mokau River in the south. An 85-90% loss of wetlands has occurred, especially from Waikato and Hauraki Plains. The most significant threat is wetland drainage, and this has slowed so the decline has stabilized; other threats include mosquitofish, pollution, sedimentation, and fires.
It is considered a local delicacy by the local Maori populace when prepared using ancestral cooking techniques. Its length is up to 12 cm. Efforts by the New Zealand Department of Conservation and regional councils have helped protect and reintroduce the fish.
