Protecting ‘Jaws’ – Aotearoa’s rarest freshwater fish

Speckled, pencil-thin and sporting an underbite: the lowland longjaw galaxias is New Zealand’s rarest freshwater fish species. With just seven known populations, this species is considered nationally endangered. Join producer Karthic SS at a spring-fed stream in the wild Mackenzie Basin to meet the tiny fish, hear from a researcher studying trout-proof barriers, and chat to a ranger who for 20 years has cared for the little fish he calls 'Jaws'.

Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.

Guests:

• Dean Nelson, Senior Ranger, Biodiversity, Department of Conservation
• Martha Jolly, PhD candidate, University of Canterbury

Learn more:

• Read the article that accompanies this episode: Looking after New Zealand's rarest freshwater fish.
• Otago farmers are looking out for another species of rare non-migratory galaxiid.
• In Auckland’s Lake Rototoa, introduced perch are the problem for the native kākahi.
• Karthic produces the Tune Into Nature podcast about New Zealand’s unique wildlife.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details