Bluegill bully facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bluegill bully |
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The bluegill bully (Gobiomorphus hubbsi) is a special fish found only in New Zealand. It belongs to the bully fish family, called Eleotridae. This small fish loves to live in shallow, fast-flowing parts of rivers and streams. It often hides among the gravels on the riverbed.
Meet the Bluegill Bully
The bluegill bully gets its name from the bright blue edge on its gill cover. Both male and female fish have this blue color. It is the smallest fish in the bully family. Most bluegill bullies grow to be about 60 to 70 millimeters (around 2 to 3 inches) long.
Where They Live
Bluegill bullies are endemic to New Zealand. This means they are found naturally only in New Zealand and nowhere else in the world. They prefer clear, fast-moving water. You can find them in areas of rivers and streams called "riffles" and "torrents." These are places where the water flows quickly over rocks and gravel.
What They Eat
Bluegill bullies eat small creatures that live in the water. These are called aquatic invertebrates. The fish have a mouth that points upwards. This helps them pick tiny insects and other small animals off the stones above them.
Their Amazing Journey
Bluegill bullies are amphidromous. This means they make a special journey between fresh water and the sea.
- Their eggs are laid in fresh water.
- When the eggs hatch, the tiny baby fish (larvae) float down to the sea. They spend the first part of their lives there.
- After a few months, the young fish swim back to fresh water.
- As they grow older, they slowly move further upstream in the rivers. This is why the largest bluegill bullies are usually found furthest away from the sea.
