Banded kōkopu
| Banded kōkopu | |
|---|---|
| Banded kōkopu | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Galaxiiformes |
| Family: | Galaxiidae |
| Genus: | Galaxias |
| Species: | G. fasciatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Galaxias fasciatus J. E. Gray, 1842 | |
| Approximate known distribution of the banded kōkopu on a map of New Zealand | |
The banded kōkopu (Galaxias fasciatus) is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, found only in New Zealand, including the Chatham and Stewart / Rakiura islands. It commonly grows to 20–25 cm, but has been recorded growing to around 30 cm. Juvenile banded kōkopu are good climbers and can climb up waterfalls and other vertical surfaces by moving into the splash zone and wriggling up the surface, using the water surface tension and their large downturned fins for grip.