Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 09 June 2026
“Canterbury mudfish have incredible survival adaptations. They only remain in a limited number of waterways and although they’re teetering on the brink of extinction, they’re still here,” Allanah says.
Canterbury mudfish are the most threatened of New Zealand’s mudfish species and the second rarest native fish after the lowland longjaw galaxias.
These mudfish have a conservation status of Threatened – Nationally Critical and are found in a limited number of waterways in the Canterbury Plains, between the Ashley River (in the north) and the Waitaki River (in the south).
During “Mudfish May”, as she calls it, Allanah visits indicator sites every two years to get an idea of how the species is faring. Most sites are on private farmland.
“Mudfish are not your typical fish – they are real survivors,” Allanah says.
“Sometimes, when I’m feeling whimsical, I think of mudfish as being like mermaids because they can survive out of water. This unique ability helps Canterbury mudfish withstand droughts and gives them the competitive edge needed to avoid extinction in an altered landscape.”
During her month-long survey, Allanah puts out fish traps the night before and returns the next day to count, weigh and measure the live mudfish. Her most recent visit to a farm near Glentunnel threw up a big surprise.
“One of the fish was massive. We were stunned. I love a fat mudfish, as they will be good breeders.
“We caught 29 mudfish at one spot, with a good variety of sizes. This shows they are surviving and breeding each year, which is fantastic news for the species.”
Allanah says Canterbury mudfish faced extinction around 10 years ago with consecutive droughts and the dewatering of some key waterways.
“Farmers and other agencies have worked hard to help the mudfish recover. The local farmers are key, as many have streams and ponds on their properties. Their naturing and nurturing work to maintain healthy habitats for the fish is a game changer, and their ability to keep mudfish on their farms shows they’re being good custodians of the land they work on.”
Weighing in at 21 grams, the mudfish found on the Glentunnel farm was the biggest Allanah has seen. She says the farmer now has bragging rights with this one.
“If we can get these sizes and numbers consistently, I’ll be less worried about the future of Canterbury mudfish. I think of them as ‘Canterbury glitter fish’ because they are such sparkly, unique little creatures. They provide food for other species, eat insects and keep everything in balance, which is very important in nature,” Allanah says.
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Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/09/massive-canterbury-mudfish-delights-doc/