Facts About Brown mudfish
The brown mudfish is a distinctive fish species indigenous to New Zealand. This small fish primarily inhabits the wetlands of the southwestern North Island and the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Growing to approximately 10-13 centimeters (4-5 inches), these fish have a lifespan of at least seven years. A notable characteristic is their elongated dorsal and anal fins, which nearly reach their tail fin.
Brown mudfish thrive in shallow swamp-forest wetlands. Remarkably, they possess a unique survival adaptation: during summer, when water levels decline, they can enter a dormant state known as aestivation. During this period, they take refuge in damp areas such as under logs or in root cavities until the water returns.
In 2014, the New Zealand Department of Conservation classified the brown mudfish as "At Risk: Declining" indicating that while there are over 100,000 mature individuals, their population is projected to decrease by 10-70%. Concurrently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed them as "Endangered."