Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
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Mitchell, C. P. (1989). Swimming performances of some native freshwater fishes. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. 23:181-187.
Observations were made of the response to water velocity for upstream migrating juveniles of 5 diadromous native fishes (Anguilla australis, Galaxias maculatus, G. fasciatus , Retropinna retropinna, Gobiomorphus cotidianus). Swimming performance within a hydraulic flume was measured and observations made of the behavioural adaptions of some species to swim through high water velocities. Timed swimming at known water velocities allowed estimation of critical velocities for fish passage. For juvenile fishes (30-80 mm total length), velocities below 0.3 m/s should allow unrestricted passage over obstacles less than 15 m in length. Water velocities below 0.25 m/s may be necessary for obstacles over 15 m.