Buy all three of Amber McEwan's native New Zealand freshwater wildlife books for $39 (RRP $66)

Whitebait

Have you seen our gorgeous galaxiids in your local stream?

Our gorgeous what?

Galaxiids!

Well, maybe you haven't seen them. These beautiful native fish are shy and often can't be seen, not only because some of them are only active at night, but because their numbers are declining.

Why aren't there so many of them anymore?

Well...

... it's because of some of the things that we humans are doing; like polluting our waterways, and removing plants and trees that provide shade. And we eat them!

Eat them?

Yes! The babies of these wonderful native fish are whitebait, and some people take so many that not enough grow into adult kokopu, inanga and koaro. But enough talk; come inside and find out the full story.

Freshwater Fishes

Hey! What’s the difference between a native fish and a kiwi?

I’m guessing this is a trick question; so, tell me, what is the difference between a native fish and a kiwi?

Some native fishes are more endangered than kiwi!

Huh? 

That’s right; some of native fishes, that many people don’t even know exist, are closer to extinction than some species of kiwi.

And native fishes - galaxiids, eels, lamprey, bullies, flounder, smelt and torrentfish - are so interesting. They live such secretive and hidden lives that many New Zealanders have never seen them, or even know where to look for them.

Oh and you forgot... they are way good looking! I mean, just get a look at a torrentfish's gorgeous stripes and gold fins.

Take a look inside this book and see what other cool stuff you can find out about native freshwater fishes.

Invertebrates

Did you know that there are lots of amazing creepy crawly creatures living in our streams?

Our waterways are not just home to native fishes, but to an incredible range of animals called invertebrates - animals without a backbone! Even some of the insects we think of as being inhabitants of the air and bush actually live part of their lives in the water.

Freshwater invertebrates are those animals that live in freshwater environments, such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, hot springs, ditches – sometimes even puddles! And they include creatures such as craneflies, caddisflies and mosquitos.

We also have jellyfish, crabs, freshwater limpets, mussels and clams, as well as the hydra - a freshwater relative of the anemone. Many New Zealanders have never seen us, know about us or even know where to look for us. 

So, come and have a look and see what other cool animals you can find in a stream, river, lake or puddle near you.