The biology and general ecology of the Koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis) in some tributary streams of Lake Taupo

The ecology and general biology of Galaxias brevipinnis were studied in three tributary streams of Lake Taupo between May 1988 and April 1989. Adult koaro were found in relatively high densities in the Waipehi and Omori streams but in low densities in the larger Waiotaka stream. The results of population estimation studies suggest that the distribution and abundance of koaro is negatively correlated with that of trout. There was a general decline in the population density of stream-resident koaro in the winter months. Juvenile koaro were found to migrate into the tributaries from August to December, with migrations being at a peak in October and November. Population length-frequency distributions and otoliths used to age koaro indicated that there were up to 5 age classes. Growth was allometric and was adequately described by the von Bertalanffy equation after the first year of life. Koaro were found to be in best condition in the Spring and lowest in Winter. Spawning appeared to occur from December through to April peaking in late Summer to early in the Waipehi Stream was Autumn. The mean fecundity of koaro approximately 5500. A sex-ratio of approximately 1:1 (males: females) were found in the koaro populations in the Omori and Waipehi streams, but during spawning there were always more ripe males than gravid females. There was considerable overlap in the diets of both koaro and juvenile rainbow trout in the Waipehi and Omori streams, with invertebrates being consumed according to their relative abundance in the benthos. Ephemeroptera larvae were numerically the most important food item in the diet of both species. However, by weight, fish (juvenile koaro) were the most important food · item in the diet of koaro and rainbow trout in the Waipehi stream. In the Omori stream in Winter, trout eggs were the most important food item in terms of weight. Terrestrial prey was found to be of relatively minor importance in the diets of koaro and rainbow trout in the Waipehi and Omori streams