Skip to content

Search

Popular pages

How to catch Cran's bully

Gobiomorphus basalis (Gray, 1842)

About Cran's bully fishing

Crans bully is a small demersal freshwater fish belonging to the family Eleotridae, endemic to the freshwaters of New Zealand where it inhabits stony rivers, streams, and lakes exclusively on the North Island. Reaching a maximum length of nine centimetres, this elongated species features a blunt head and stocky build adapted for a bottom-dwelling existence. It feeds primarily on benthic invertebrates inhabiting shallow riffles and slow-moving margins. Being a non-migratory resident of inland waters, it completes its entire lifecycle in freshwater environments, with males establishing breeding territories beneath large rocks during the warmer months to guard the deposited clutch.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    8 cm

  • Habitat

    Freshwater

  • Season

    Spring, Autumn, Winter

  • Also known as

    Maui's bully, Tarndale bully, Tarndale Bully

Cran's bully

Spotted Fins

Distinct rows of dark spots pattern the rounded dorsal and caudal fins.

Opercle Spot

A dark ocellus-like spot stands out clearly on the upper opercle region.

Broad Head

The robust, depressed head profile identifies this benthic freshwater bully.

Cran's bully fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    8 cm (max 9 cm TL )

  • Typical weight

    0.2 kg (max 0 kg )

  • Longevity

    1 years

  • Body shape

    Elongated

  • Vulnerability score

    19.9

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Peak

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Active

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Active

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Peak

  • Night

    After dark

    Low

When to fish for Cran's bully

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Cran's bully

Tips for catching Cran's bully

Target this benthic dwelling native species around shallow stony riffles and cobble substrates in clear flowing rivers using ultra light tackle equipped with tiny earthworm sections presented directly on the river bed where these small fish feed on aquatic invertebrates.

Other names for Cran's bully

Local and alternate names anglers use for Cran's bully.

  • Tarndale Bully
  • Maui's bully
  • Cran's bully

Best equipment to catch Cran's bully

Compare fishing methods for Cran's bully — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 0.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Cran's bully

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

Where Cran's bully spends the year — Non-migratory

Stays in the same waters year-round. Look for it on the same grounds rather than timing a run.

Where Cran's bully spends the year — Non-migratory 1. Eggs: Laid on the home grounds. 2. Juveniles: Grow up close by. 3. Adults: Keep to a small home range. 4. Spawners: Spawn on the same grounds, with only short moves.
Same water all year

1 Eggs

Same water all year

Laid on the home grounds.

2 Juveniles

Same water all year

Grow up close by.

3 Adults

Same water all year

Keep to a small home range.

4 Spawners

Same water all year

Spawn on the same grounds, with only short moves.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Cran's bully

  • Diet

    Carnivore

  • Hunts

    Dawn · Dusk

Where Cran's bully lives

Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.

Habitats
Freshwater
Depth zone
Depth not recorded
Water column
Demersal
On or near the bed

Where this species lives