With such protection as a marine reserve offers and the natural biodiversity that the Poor Knights Islands have, the fish species seen here over the year is very impressive. Many of the species reside there all year around, whilst others will visit when food, currents and temperatures dictate.
Below are is a growing list of some of the fish we have seen and photographed since 2012. This page and the list of fishes will be added to as we find time to work on it and are lucky enough to see more species.
Half Banded Perch
Hypoplectrodes sp
Hapuka
Polyprion oxygenios
Hiwihiwi
Chronemus marmoratus
Hammerhead Sharks – Scalloped
Sphyrna zygaena
We only know of one seen underwater near Middle Arch at 70 metres and I personally saw a small one at the Hen and Chicks whilst snorkelling. But we do sometimes see hammerhead pups on the surface during the summer on the crossing over.
They are commonly seen on the surface along the bays along the Northland coast all the way down to Auckland
John Dory
Zeau faber
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Kahawai
Arripis trutta
Kingfish
Koheru
Leatherjacket
Parika scaber
Long Tail Stingray
Lord Howe Coral Fish
Long Finned Boar Fish
Mado
Atypichthys latus
One of the cleaner fish of the Poor Knights
Manta
From late December to early March if the warm currents are passing the Poor Knights keep an eye out into the blue for these gentle giants.
Marblefish
Mimic Blenny
Piano Fang Blenny
Plagiotremus tapeinosoma
Mola Mola
Mosiac moray Eel
Mottled Moray Eel
Oblique Free Swimming Blennies
Orange Wrasse
Painted Moki
Cheilodactylus ephippium
Pigfish
Male Pigfish
Female Pigfish
Pink Maomao
Poreye
Red Moki
Rock Cod