Why a special day in Oxford?
Canterbury mudfish were first identified as a unique species by Oxford farmer, Mr Alfred Burrows. In 1924, with his son, Alfred was digging a well on his farm and he noticed that on his paddock around the well were small fish. Fortunately he realised that fish did not usually live in paddocks. He sent a specimen to the Dominion Museum, and sure enough, museum staff said here’s something new and the “burrowsius” part of the mudfish name (Neochanna burrowsius) is in honour of Alfred Burrows.
There are still several mudfish sites near Oxford.
Mr Burrows has moved on but many of his descendants live in Canterbury and they are excited about restoration plans to enhance mudfish habitats.
Mudfish Day 2008 : a special festival to celebrate the Canterbury Mudfish was held in North Canterbury on Sunday 5th of October 2008, 10am-3pm. Main Street, Oxford (in front of the Library).
- Meet the Mudfish
- farmers' market
- craft market
- and heaps more!
Mudfish Day 2007 was held in Oxford, North Canterbury on the 14th of October, 2007. Games, music, poetry, talks, food, drink and lots of fun!