A STRANGE FISH

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4515, 9 October 1930, Page 2

A STRANGE FISH

Property owners in the vicinity of Robinson’s Lakes who have been carrying out draining operations recently have occasionally had their attention drawn to a peculiar fish somewhat akin to an eel which has been dug out of the bottom of the drains. The discovery was mentioned to Captaiu L. Haves, of the Marine' Department during his last visit here and he made investigalions with the result that he was able to secure one of the species about, eighteen inches below the surface of the ground near the lakes. The fish is a mud lish which it: some respects links Lish with amphibians. The term mudfish refers to its habits of harrowing into the mud when the dry season sets in and remaining in a torpid state until the ground is covered with water again. The lish which Captain Haves secured was several inches in length and round like an eel. Placed in a container il would dart at a. persons linger it inserted in tin 1 water, hi had a habit of curling. its tail up prior to straightcuing out and darting forward to grasp the tip of the linger. Cap(jiin Hayes look his specimen hack fo Wellington with him. Mr. M. ifi. PctTcau, who has a farm on Beach Road informed our representative that he has quite frequently noticed these mudfish when carrying out draining operation but .thought they were a' spe,.‘ios of cel and had not bothered ahniit them until he had heard that 'ihcv were mudfish. They were mlt ;.h shorter than the ordinary eel and not slippery, it being possible to hold one in one’s hand for quite a time before it finally Hipped

J "strange to say the Maoris do not appeal to have known of this fish’s existence in the past.