New Zealand

Checklist of Endemic Marine Fish Species

This list of marine fish species found exclusively in New Zealand is based on the taxonomy used in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes (2023). For further details on possible inaccuracies in the list see Sources & Caveats.

Fricke, R., Eschmeyer, W. N. & Van der Laan, R. (eds) 2023 Catalog of Fishes: Genera, Species, References. Version downloaded 9 February 2023 https://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp

The current version can be accessed here

Marine fishes known only from the deep-sea (below 200 m) are listed at the bottom of the page and are not included in species totals

+ = species added to the Catalog of Fishes after 9 Februrary 2023

Cepola haastii (Acanthuriformes Cepolidae) Red Bandfish

Limnichthys polyactis (Acropomatiformes Creediidae) Tommyfish

Limnichthys rendahli (Acropomatiformes Creediidae) Barred Tommyfish

Tewara cranwellae (Acropomatiformes Creediidae) New Zealand Sand Diver

Hemerocoetes artus (Acropomatiformes Hemerocoetidae) Narrow Opalfish

Hemerocoetes macrophthalmus (Acropomatiformes Hemerocoetidae) Bigeye Opalfish

Hemerocoetes monopterygius (Acropomatiformes Hemerocoetidae) Opalfish

Hemerocoetes morelandi (Acropomatiformes Hemerocoetidae) Moreland's Opalfish

Hemerocoetes pauciradiatus (Acropomatiformes Hemerocoetidae)

Pempheris adspersa (Acropomatiformes Pempheridae) New Zealand Bigeye

Gnathophis habenatus (Anguilliformes Congridae) Little Conger Eel

Anarchias supremus (Anguilliformes Muraenidae) Kermadec Moray

Quassiremus polyclitellum (Anguilliformes Ophichthidae) Barred Snake Eel

Lestidiops gracilis (Aulopiformes Paralepididae) Slender Barracudina

Hyporhamphus ihi (Beloniformes Hemiramphidae) New Zealand Piper

Ericentrus rubrus (Blenniiformes Clinidae) Orange Clinid

Apopterygion oculus (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Ocellate Triplefin

Bellapiscis lesleyae (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Mottled Twister

Bellapiscis medius (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Twister

Blennodon dorsalis (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Giant Triplefin

Cryptichthys jojettae (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Cryptic Triplefin

Enneapterygius kermadecensis (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Kermadec Triplefin

Forsterygion capito (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Spotted Robust Triplefin

Forsterygion flavonigrum (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Yellow-and-black Triplefin

Forsterygion lapillum (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Common Triplefin

Forsterygion malcolmi (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Mottled Triplefin

Forsterygion maryannae (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Obliqueswimming Triplefin

Forsterygion nigripenne (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Estuarine Triplefin

Forsterygion varium (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Striped Triplefin

Gilloblennius abditus (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Obscure Triplefin

Gilloblennius tripennis (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Thripenny

Karalepis stewarti (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) New Zealand Scalyheaded Triplefin

Matanui bathytaton (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Chatham Deepwater Triplefin

Matanui profundum (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Deepwater Triplefin

Notoclinops caerulepunctus (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Blue Dot Triplefin

Notoclinops segmentatus (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Blueeyed Triplefin

Notoclinops yaldwyni (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Yaldwyn's Triplefin

Notoclinus compressus (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Brown Topknot

Notoclinus fenestratus (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) New Zealand Topknot

Ruanoho decemdigitatus (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Longfinned Triplefin

Ruanoho scurra (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Polkadot Triplefin

Ruanoho whero (Blenniiformes Tripterygiidae) Spectacled Triplefin

Arnoglossus scapha (Carangiformes Bothidae) Witch

Lophonectes mongonuiensis (Carangiformes Bothidae) New Zealand Crested Flounder

Decapterus koheru (Carangiformes Carangidae) Koheru

Colistium guentheri (Carangiformes Rhombosoleidae) New Zealand Brill

Colistium nudipinnis (Carangiformes Rhombosoleidae) New Zealand Turbot

Pelotretis flavilatus (Carangiformes Rhombosoleidae) Southern Lemon Sole

Peltorhamphus kryptostomus (Carangiformes Rhombosoleidae) New Zealand Gray Sole

Peltorhamphus novaezeelandiae (Carangiformes Rhombosoleidae) New Zealand Sole

Peltorhamphus tenuis (Carangiformes Rhombosoleidae) Slender Sole

Rhombosolea plebeia (Carangiformes Rhombosoleidae) New Zealand Sand Flounder

Girella fimbriata (Centrarchiformes Girellidae) Caramel Drummer

Acanthoclinus fuscus (Cichliformes Plesiopidae) Olive Rockfish

Acanthoclinus littoreus (Cichliformes Plesiopidae) New Zealand Rockfish

Acanthoclinus marilynae (Cichliformes Plesiopidae) Stout Rockfish

Acanthoclinus matti (Cichliformes Plesiopidae) Splendid Rockfish

Acanthoclinus rua (Cichliformes Plesiopidae) Little Rockfish

Chromis dispila (Cichliformes Pomacentridae) New Zealand Demoiselle

Parma kermadecensis (Cichliformes Pomacentridae) Kermadec Scalyfin

Sprattus antipodum (Clupeiformes Clupeidae) New Zealand Blueback Sprat

Sprattus muelleri (Clupeiformes Clupeidae) New Zealand Sprat

Coelorinchus aspercephalus (Gadiformes Macrouridae) Roughhead Whiptail

Coelorinchus biclinozonalis (Gadiformes Macrouridae) Twobarred Whiptail

Coelorinchus oliverianus (Gadiformes Macrouridae) Hawknose Grenadier

Auchenoceros punctatus (Gadiformes Moridae) Ahuru

Pseudophycis bachus (Gadiformes Moridae) New Zealand Red Cod

Dellichthys morelandi (Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae) New Zealand Urchin Clingfish

Dellichthys trnskii (Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae) Trnski's Clingfish

Diplocrepis puniceus (Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae) Orange Clingfish

Gastrocyathus gracilis (Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae) New Zealand Slender Clingfish

Gastrocymba quadriradiata (Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae) Southern Clingfish

Gastroscyphus hectoris (Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae) Hector's Clingfish

Haplocylix littoreus (Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae) Giant Clingfish

Modicus minimus (Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae) Pink Clingfish

Modicus tangaroa (Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae) Eyespot Clingfish

Trachelochismus aestuarium (Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae) Estuary Clingfish

Trachelochismus melobesia (Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae) Striped Clingfish

Trachelochismus pinnulatus (Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae) New Zealand Lumpfish

Eviota kermadecensis (Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Kermadec Dwarfgoby

Gobiopsis atrata (Gobiiformes Gobiidae) New Zealand Black Goby

Grahamichthys radiatus (Gobiiformes Thalasseleotrididae) Graham's Gudgeon

Thalasseleotris iota (Gobiiformes Thalasseleotrididae) New Zealand Pygmy Sleeper

Bidenichthys consobrinus (Ophidiiformes Bythitidae) Marbled Brotula

Bidenichthys slartibartfasti (Ophidiiformes Bythitidae) Fiordland Brotula

Brosmodorsalis persicinus (Ophidiiformes Bythitidae) Pink Brotula

Microbrotula punicea (Ophidiiformes Bythitidae) Persimmon Brotula

Echiodon pegasus (Ophidiiformes Carapidae) Pegasus Messmate

Echiodon prionodon (Ophidiiformes Carapidae) Sawtooth Messmate

Dermatopsis joergennielseni (Ophidiiformes Dinematichthyidae) Nielsen's Mudbrotula

Hypoplectrodes huntii (Perciformes Anthiadidae) Redbanded Perch

Lepidoperca aurantia (Perciformes Anthiadidae) Orange Perch

Lepidoperca inornata (Perciformes Anthiadidae) Plain Perch

Plectranthias bilaticlavia (Perciformes Anthiadidae) Biline Perchlet

Bovichtus oculus (Perciformes Bovichtidae) Bigeye Thornfish

Bovichtus psychrolutes (Perciformes Bovichtidae) Little Thornfish

Bovichtus variegatus (Perciformes Bovichtidae) Thornfish

Notolabrus celidotus (Perciformes Labridae) New Zealand Spotty

Notolabrus cinctus (Perciformes Labridae) Girdled Wrasse

Pseudolabrus miles (Perciformes Labridae) Scarlet Wrasse

Psednos cryptocaeca (Perciformes Liparidae) Shortfin Dwarf Snailfish

Odax cyanoallix (Perciformes Odacidae) Bluefinned Butterfish

Odax pullus (Perciformes Odacidae) Greenboned Butterfish

Parapercis colias (Perciformes Pinguipedidae) New Zealand Blue Cod

Parapercis gilliesii (Perciformes Pinguipedidae) Yellow Weaver

Neophrynichthys heterospilos (Perciformes Psychrolutidae) Variable Spotted Toadfish

Neophrynichthys latus (Perciformes Psychrolutidae) Dark Toadfish

Lepidotrigla brachyoptera (Perciformes Triglidae) Scaly Gurnard

Lepidotrigla robinsi (Perciformes Triglidae) Northern Scaly Gurnard

Melanostigma flaccidum (Perciformes Zoarcidae)

Crapatalus angusticeps (Perciformes *sedis mutabilis* Leptoscopidae) Slender Stargazer

Crapatalus novaezelandiae (Perciformes *sedis mutabilis* Leptoscopidae) New Zealand Sand Stargazer

Leptoscopus macropygus (Perciformes *sedis mutabilis* Leptoscopidae) Estuary Stargazer

Cylix tupareomanaia (Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae) Manaia Pygmy Pipehorse

Leptonotus elevatus (Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae) Highbody Pipefish

Leptonotus norae (Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae) New Zealand Longsnout Pipefish

Lissocampus filum (Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae) Shortsnout Pipefish

Solegnathus naso (Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae) New Zealand Spiny Pipehorse

Stigmatopora macropterygia (Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae) Longsnouted Pipefish

Kentrocapros eco (Tetraodontiformes Aracanidae) Highcrest Boxfish

Kentrocapros flavimaculatus + (Tetraodontiformes Aracanidae) Yellowspotted Boxfish

Paracanthostracion lindsayi (Tetraodontiformes Ostraciidae)

Monocentris neozelanica (Trachichthyiformes Monocentridae) New Zealand Pineconefish

Optivus elongatus (Trachyichthyiformes Trachichthyidae) Slender Roughy

Cephaloscyllium isabella (Carcharhiniformes Scyliorhinidae) New Zealand Draughtsboard Shark

Mustelus lenticulatus (Carcharhiniformes Triakidae) Spotted Estuary Smoothhound

Arhynchobatis asperrimus (Rajiformes Arhynchobatidae) Longtail Skate

Brochiraja spinifera (Rajiformes Arhynchobatidae) Prickly Deepsea Skate

Dipturus nasutus (Rajiformes Rajidae) New Zealand Rough Skate

Typhlonarke aysoni (Torpediniformes Narkidae) Blind Electric Ray

Hydrolagus novaezealandiae (Chimaeriformes Chimaeridae) Dark Ghostshark

Eptatretus cryptus (Myxiniformes Myxinidae) Cryptic Hagfish

Eptatretus poicilus (Myxiniformes Myxinidae) Mottled Hagfish

Nemamyxine elongata (Myxiniformes Myxinidae) Bootlace Hagfish

Neomyxine biniplicata (Myxiniformes Myxinidae) Slender Hagfish

Neomyxine caesiovitta (Myxiniformes Myxinidae) Blueband Hagfish

Additional deep-sea species (below 200 m) recorded only from New Zealand:

Azygopus flemingi (Carangiformes Rhombosoleidae) Spotted Flounder

Coelorinchus bollonsi (Gadiformes Macrouridae) Bollons' Rattail

Coelorinchus campbellicus (Gadiformes Macrouridae)

Coelorinchus infuscus (Gadiformes Macrouridae) Dusky Rattail

Coryphaenoides microstomus (Gadiformes Macrouridae)

Himantolophus litoceras (Lophiiformes Himantolophidae)

Echiodon pukaki (Ophidiiformes Carapidae) Southern Messmate

Aetheliparis taurocanis (Perciformes Liparidae)

Careproctus narilobus (Perciformes Liparidae)

Careproctus novaezelandiae (Perciformes Liparidae)

Careproctus pellucicauda (Perciformes Liparidae)

Notoliparis kermadecensis (Perciformes Liparidae) Kermadec Snailfish

Notoliparis stewarti (Perciformes Liparidae) Stewart's Snailfish

Osteodiscus rhepostomias (Perciformes Liparidae) Hardsucker Snailfish

Paraliparis exilis (Perciformes Liparidae) Slender Snailfish

Paraliparis freeborni (Perciformes Liparidae) Freeborn's Snailfish

Paraliparis pearcyi (Perciformes Liparidae) Pearcy's Snailfish

Paraliparis pseudokreffti (Perciformes Liparidae) Mimic Snailfish

Psednos argyrogaster (Perciformes Liparidae) Silverbelly Dwarf Snailfish

Psednos chathami (Perciformes Liparidae)

Psednos longiventris (Perciformes Liparidae) Longbelly Dwarf Snailfish

Psednos microstomus (Perciformes Liparidae) Smallmouth Dwarf Snailfish

Psednos nemnezi (Perciformes Liparidae) Museum Dwarf Snailfish

Psednos platyoperculosus (Perciformes Liparidae) Bigeye Dwarf Snailfish

Psednos struthersi (Perciformes Liparidae) Struthers' Dwarf Snailfish

Ambophthalmos angustus (Perciformes Psychrolutidae) Pale Toadfish

Ambophthalmos eurystigmatephoros (Perciformes Psychrolutidae) Marbled Toadfish

Antipodocottus megalops (Perciformes Psychrolutidae) Long-lined Sculpin

Cottunculus nudus (Perciformes Psychrolutidae) Bonyskull Toadfish

Alertichthys blacki (Perciformes Zanclorhynchidae) Alert Pigfish

Lycenchelys maoriensis (Perciformes Zoarcidae) Maori Eelpout

Ophthalmolycus campbellensis (Perciformes Zoarcidae) Campbell Eelpout

Pachycara garricki (Perciformes Zoarcidae) Garrick's Eelpout

Pyrolycus moelleri (Perciformes Zoarcidae) Brothers Ventfish

Apristurus exsanguis (Carcharhiniformes Pentanchidae) New Zealand Catshark

Bythaelurus dawsoni (Carcharhiniformes Pentanchidae) Dawson's Catshark

Bathyraja pacifica (Rajiformes Arhynchobatidae) Pacific Blonde Skate

Brochiraja albilabiata (Rajiformes Arhynchobatidae) Whitelip Skate

Brochiraja microspinifera (Rajiformes Arhynchobatidae) Small Deepsea Skate

Squalus raoulensis (Squaliformes Squalidae) Kermadec Spiny Dogfish

Chimaera carophila (Chimaeriformes Chimaeridae) Brown Chimaera

Eptatretus goliath (Myxiniformes Myxinidae) Goliath Hagfish

Rubicundus eos (Myxiniformes Myxinidae) Pink Hagfish