Neochanna Gunther.

Neochanna apoda Gunther

Neochanna apoda Gunther (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 20, 1867, p. 305).

Neochanna apoda Regan (Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1905).

B. 6–7; D. x–xiii 4–7 i = 18–19: A. xiv–xix 0–3 i = 18–19; vertebrae 55–57.

Jaws about equal, profile of snout only slightly convex. Majority of the teeth in both jaws compressed, with convex cutting edges, a few at rear may be conical or almost so, uniserial, no enlargement of lateral teeth, lingual teeth conical, hooked, in two rows, entopterygoids toothless. Gill-rakers rudimentary, or moderately developed, pyloric caeca well developed, 1–2. Maxillary extending about to posterior of eye. Head 4.9–5.6 in standard length, dorsal fin inserted at .72–.74 of same, extremely fleshy, tail with strongly developed dorsal and ventral ridges continuous with dorsal, caudal, and anal fins, its least depth, including ridges, 1.4–2.0 times the distance from rear of dorsal fin to hypural joint, caudal fin strongly convex. Pectoral extending .21–.24 of the distance from its axil to the origin of the anal, anal originating below second-fourth ray of dorsal, extremely fleshy, branched rays of anal bifid. Maximum total length observed 6.8 in.

The present description is based on the dissection of five specimens and the external examination of a number of others.

Gunther's type is recorded as being in the British Museum. Type locality: Westland. Localities! (South Island) Greymouth. (North Island) Palmerston North, Rongareu, Wairarapa. Habits: This fish is normally free-living, but during droughts it is frequently found alive in the mud of streams and swamps from which the water has been absent for months. Male specimens taken