Whitebait is a term for small 4-5cm long freshwater fish that are tender and edible.
Inanga (Galaxias maculatus) are the most common native fish species caught as whitebait. Other species that make up the whitebait catch are banded kokopu, giant kokopu, kōaro and shortjaw kokopu. These species are all migratory galaxiids.
Did you know:
My life begins as a egg laid in vegetation beside streams in late summer and autumn around the high water mark.
After I am born in freshwater, I am swept out to sea with the tide.
I return after 6 months and migrate upstream as whitebait and grow into adult fish by Autumn.
When I am a mature fish, I will swim back down river to spawn in the estuaries. I usually live for one year.
Most females only have one opportunity to spawn. If she finds good quality spawning habitat then about 80% of those eggs will survive.
My super power is: You can see straight through me
I help the eco system as a food source in the marine food chain and help clean the ocean by filter feeding.
I am a Taonga species central to the identity and well being of many Māori and are a significant mahinga kai (food).