Warehou

The Warehou is one species that is found in bottom of the North Island around Cooks Straight to pretty much all the South Island.

There are also a Silver Warehou, a White Warehou, and a Bluenose Warehou.

The Warehou is found over both soft and rock bottoms, from the surface down to around 100 metres or 360 feet.

This species of fish normally swims in schools in the deeper water but sometimes they are observed moving in very large shoals at the surface well offshore.

The Warehou grows up to 40cm to 60cm or just under 3 feet long and weigh an average of 15kg or about 40lbs.

They have a steep smooth head, and a dark blotch behind the head. They have a long pectoral fin, a short and low first dorsal fin.

The Warehou are a dark blue green colour above, and paler colour below.

These fish move into the shallower waters in the spring to spawn, then the young Warehou swim out to slightly deeper water.

Blue warehou feed on a wide variety of prey, being mainly krill, crabs, and small squid.

Known spawning areas for these fish include the West coast of the South Island in August to September, Kaikoura between March and May), Southland in November, and the Hawkes Bay in September.

The eggs of the warehou are found in the surface plankton and juvenile fish are believed to occur in inshore areas.

They are a very strong fighter if caught.