Torrentfish
| Torrentfish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Labriformes |
| Suborder: | Uranoscopoidei |
| Family: | Cheimarrichthyidae Regan, 1913 |
| Genus: | Cheimarrichthys Haast, 1874 |
| Species: | C. fosteri |
| Binomial name | |
| Cheimarrichthys fosteri Haast, 1874 | |
| Approximate known distribution (in orange) of the torrentfish on a map of New Zealand | |
The torrentfish (Cheimarrichthys fosteri), or panoko (Māori), is an amphidromous freshwater ray-finned fish that is endemic to New Zealand. Torrentfish are well adapted to life in shallow, fast-flowing riffles and rapids. They grow to a maximum of 20 cm (7.9 in) in total length, but more commonly reach 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in).
It is the only member of the monotypic genus Cheimarrichthys and the family Cheimarrichthyidae. It is most closely related to the sandperches in the family Pinguipedidae. It is the only member of the order Labriformes that inhabits freshwater habitats.