North Island. The North and South islands are connected by land during the ice ages, which allowed upland bullies in the north of the South Island to spread further north. Upland bullies in the large southern group are often larger and more boldly patterned than their northern counterparts. They can be found far inland as well as close to the coast. They are tolerant of a wide range of conditions but prefer slowly flowing water. References External links Photograph of male Photograph of female upland bully Endemic freshwater fish of New Zealand Taxa named by Gerald Stokell upland bully