Origin of Wild Mollies at Taupo

[Stella]

I came across this interesting paragraph in book 'Lake Taupo' (1983) co-ordinated by D.J. Forsyth and C. Howard-Williams:

The last introduction of exotic fish to Taupo waters was the sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna. It was accidentally introduced by a resident of the DB Thermal Hotel (formerly The Terraces), who dumped aquarium fish into the Waipahihi Stream before departing Taupo. They quickly became established in the warmer waters of the stream and in the lake near the stream mouth. Unsuccessful efforts were made to remove them before some reached the warm swamps between Waihi and the delta, where they are found today.

Unfortunately this story is not referenced, and McDowall (1990) thinks they were there earlier. Not sure how they could move from one side of the lake to the opposite without freezing to death, sounds like two releases to me.

Just.... random history that may interest someone

[jim r]

Several people told me that it was swordtails which were released and thrived in the Waipahihi stream however I never saw any fish of any kind in the stream.

[Barrie]

25 years ago, we use to gather both black and sail fins in the swamps towards Huntly/Meremere