Fish
Puye
Galaxias maculatus · also called inanga
Migrating between freshwater rivers and the sea, a puye carries an extraordinary distribution for such a small fish, found not only in southern South America but also across New Zealand and Australia on the far side of the Southern Ocean.
Overview
The puye, Galaxias maculatus, is a Least Concern fish native to wetland and ocean habitat across rivers and coastal waters of southern South America. Its remarkable Southern Hemisphere-wide distribution, its migratory life cycle between river and sea, and its role supporting a small local fishery make it one of the more ecologically and culturally significant small fish species found anywhere in the region.
A tiny fish with a continent-spanning family
Despite its small size and short lifespan, the puye belongs to a species found scattered across three separate Southern Hemisphere continents, a distribution pattern that has puzzled and fascinated researchers studying how such a small fish came to span such an enormous range.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable river and coastal habitat, though some regional populations face pressure from habitat degradation and overharvesting.
Puye: common questions
Why is the puye's distribution unusual?
This species is found across an extraordinary Southern Hemisphere range spanning South America, New Zealand, and Australia, an unusual distribution for such a small freshwater fish.
Does the puye live in fresh water or salt water?
Both, this species migrates between freshwater rivers and the ocean at different stages of its life, a pattern known as diadromy.
Why are young puye harvested by people?
Juveniles of this species form the basis of a small local fishery in parts of its range, harvested as they migrate upstream from the sea in large numbers.
How long does the puye typically live?
This species has a relatively short lifespan for a fish, typically living only around one year.