Many culverts in New Zealand rivers are poorly designed or maintained, impeding fish migrations. This study tested three low‐cost fish passage solutions—mussel spat ropes, a flexible rubber ramp, and a combination of both—at a perched culvert apron on the West Coast. Passage efficiency was assessed for three indicator species with different locomotive capabilities: īnanga ( Galaxias maculatus ), redfin bully ( Gobiomorphus hut...

The bluegill bully is a small (TL

The lamprey genus Geotria Gray, 1851 currently includes only two species: G. australis and G. macrostoma . However, taxonomic relationships within the genus have traditionally been ambiguous and difficult to establish due to the extreme changes in morphology, dentition, and coloration that lampreys undergo during their life cycles, particularly during upstream migration and sexual maturation. Consequently, several lamprey spec...

The lamprey genus Exomegas Gill, 1883, was erected on the assumption that it was distinguishable from Geotria Gray, 1851, by possessing three rather than two cusps on the transverse lingual lamina (TLL). Based on literature review and examination of holotypes and new data, the authors reaffirm that the TLL of Geotria possesses two or three cusps in the adult stage. The reduction or disappearance of the middle cusp at the begin...

This study used an experimental approach to compare the passage success of native and exotic fish species from the temperate Southern Hemisphere over an artificial baffled fish ramp designed for overcoming low‐head (≤1.0 m) fish migration barriers. Passage efficiency was, on average, lower for the exotic species [koi carp ( Cyprinus carpio ), rudd ( Scardinius erythrophthalmus ) and rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss )] compa...

Habitat selection by banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) and giant kokopu (G. argenteus) was examined in three first‐ and second‐order restored streams draining the Hakarimata Range, Waikato region, New Zealand. Longitudinal distribution surveys were undertaken recording physical habitat dimensions and cover selection at the location of each banded and giant kokopu. The main habitats used by both species were pools or backwater...

The effect of fall height and notch shape on fish passage over an experimental weir was evaluated for two native diadromous fish species, the common bully (Gobiomorphus cotidianus) and adult and juvenile inanga (Galaxias maculatus) . Juvenile inanga and common bullies were restricted by falls of 10 cm or higher whereas adult inanga were not restricted until a fall height of 20 cm was reached. Notch shape had a significant effe...

The response of migratory galaxiid juveniles, inanga (Galaxias maculatus) and koaro ( G . brevipinnis) , to the odours of adult galaxiids was tested in a two‐choice chamber apparatus. Both conspecific and heterospecific odours were tested. Inanga juveniles were attracted to adult inanga ( G. maculatus) , banded kokopu (G. fasciatus) , and koaro ( G . brevipinnis) odours. However, they were not attracted to odours from common b...