Elephant Fish
Elephant fish are a chimaera — not a true fish, but a cartilaginous relative of sharks that has been around for roughly 400 million years. Endemic to New Zealand and southern Australia, they're a genuine oddity: smooth-skinned, plate-toothed, and unmistakable.
South Island surfcasters and boat anglers target them for their firm, white flesh, which rivals hapuka on the plate.
Scientific Name: Callorhinchus milii
Also known as Silver trumpeter, White fillets, Reperepe, Ghost shark
- Silver-grey above with darker blotches, silver-white below; smooth skin with no scales — unlike any bony fish you'll handle.
- The defining feature is a fleshy, plough-shaped extension on the snout, used to detect prey buried in soft substrate.
- Instead of teeth, hard crushing plates deal with shellfish and crustaceans — handle the mouth carefully.
- Typical catch runs 2–6 kg and 60–90 cm; fish up to 8 kg show up regularly on the Wairarapa south coast, and the species can reach 1.2 m.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Endemic to New Zealand (and southern Australia) — found nowhere else on earth.
- Primarily a South Island species; most abundant off Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury Bight, down to around 200 m on the continental shelf.
- In spring and summer, females move inshore to lay egg cases in sandy and muddy substrates in coastal bays — this is when shore anglers get their best shots.
- Wellington Harbour and the open beaches of southern Wairarapa also see seasonal runs, making them accessible to North Island surfcasters at times.
Key Locations
- Banks Peninsula and Canterbury Bight — the core of the commercial and recreational fishery, with fish to 200 m depth.
- Wairarapa south coast surf beaches — produces large fish (5–8 kg) during the spring–summer inshore run.
- Wellington Harbour (Worser Bay, Evans Bay) — accessible shore fishing for smaller fish during seasonal appearances.
- South Canterbury coast around Makikihi and Hook — known for night surfcasting sessions.
Specific Spots
- Sandy and muddy bottom in coastal bays and surf beaches — elephant fish root through soft substrate for buried shellfish and crabs, so flat sandy ground near deeper water is the starting point.
- Inshore surf beaches along the Wairarapa south coast produce large fish (5–8 kg) during spring runs; fish the gutters and deeper holes where bait can sit undisturbed.
- Wellington Harbour locations like Worser Bay and Evans Bay hold smaller fish and are accessible to surfcasters from shore.
- South Canterbury surf beaches around Makikihi and Hook have a track record for night sessions targeting this species.
Elephant Fish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Elephant Fish?
Paddle crab is the premier bait, cut or whole, fished on the bottom. Local anglers consistently rate it above other options for both attracting fish and holding them long enough to hook up.
When is the best time to fish for Elephant Fish?
Spring (September–November), females move inshore to spawn; prime time for shore anglers on South Island east coast beaches and Wellington Harbour. Summer (December–February), inshore fish remain accessible; Wairarapa south coast surf beaches fish well for larger specimens.
How do you catch Elephant Fish?
Shore-based surfcasting dominates the recreational fishery, with anglers targeting inshore beaches and harbour margins during the spring and summer spawning migration. Bottom rigs baited with paddle crab, cast into sandy gutters and left with a light drag, are the standard approach.
What do Elephant Fish eat?
Shellfish, crustaceans, and small fish crushed with hard dental plates, paddle crabs are the standout bait, consistently rated the top choice by experienced elephant fish anglers in New Zealand.
Where do Elephant Fish live?
Endemic to New Zealand (and southern Australia), found nowhere else on earth. Primarily a South Island species; most abundant off Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury Bight, down to around 200 m on the continental shelf.
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