Īnanga

Inanga, the smallest whitebait species, are native to New Zealand, found in lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. They start life as eggs laid in vegetation, hatch as larvae, and spend six months at sea. In spring, they return as whitebait, migrating upstream to grow into adults. This diadromous lifestyle makes them vulnerable to threats like habitat loss, pest fish, and migration barriers. Protecting their spawning areas is crucial to safeguarding this unique species.