ENDEMIC, NATIVE, INTRODUCED AND PEST FISH
ENDEMIC SPECIES
Endemic species are unique to a location. In New Zealand, our endemic fish are found nowhere else in the world.
LINKS:
Wikipedia - list of Endemic fish
Selection of New Zealand endemic freshwater fish
NATIVE SPECIES
Native fish are naturally found here; however, the same species are found elsewhere in the world.
LINKS:
Selection of Introduced freshwater fish to New Zealand waterways
INTRODUCED SPECIES
Around 20 species of freshwater exotic fish have been introduced into New Zealand. In the early 1900s, early settlers introduced salmon and trout for sport and food. Other fish have been introduced by aquariums and pond fish like goldfish being released into waterways.
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Pest fish
Some fish that have been introduced to New Zealand waterways are considered detrimental to either the ecology of the waterways or predators of native/endemic species.
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