New Zealand Introduced Animals > Brown Trout

Brown Trout

Oncorhynchus trutta

INTRODUCED; COMMON; RESIDENT

DISTRIBUTION: A native of Europe, the brown trout was introduced to New Zealand in the early days of European settlement as a sport fish. It is now the most widely distributed fresh water fish on both the main islands, north to the Coromandel Peninsula.

HABITAT: Predominantly a river/ stream fish. It is strongly territorial and will often adopt a pool in a river or stream and drive all rivals away.

BREEDING: Spawning takes place in gravel or shingle shallows in cold clear streams. The eggs are about 5mm in diameter and are heavier than water so will not wash away easily. Eggs are heavily supplied with yoke so the young hatch at a relatively late stage in development.

FOOD: Mainly other fish.

GENERAL: It is often the dominant predator in New Zealands fresh water fish communities, and has displaced many native fish. Like its close relative the salmon, the trout is able to live equally well in both fresh and salt water as they have special glands in their gills that dump excess salt and very efficient kidneys which enable it to maintain the correct internal water balance regardless of external salinity.


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