The early life history of fish in coastal waters of northern New Zealand: A review

Studies on the early life history of fish in New Zealand started during the 1950s off the Northland coast. Since then taxonomy, seasonality in abundance, and vertical and horizontal distribution patterns have been described as well as aspects at the level of individuals, such as age, growth, and condition. I discuss the findings and issues that have developed from these studies and illustrate three undescribed presettlement reef fish. Results indicate that different taxonomic groups typically have different vertical and horizontal distribution patterns as well as different temporal patterns of abundance. This implies that general models of how “larval fish” behave are unrealistic. As a result, the importance of physical and biological processes that may influence the distribution and survival of ichthyoplankton will vary among categories of fish (such as pelagic and reef fish) and taxonomic groups within these. Based on knowledge of the distribution pattern of some species, there is considerable scope for focusing future research on specific groups offish in terms of ontogenetic changes in morphology, sensory abilities, growth, diet, condition, interrelationships with other plankters, and, in the case of reef fish, onshore transport.