Galaxias macronasus McDowall & Waters, 2003

Family:  Galaxiidae (Galaxiids), subfamily: Galaxiinae
Max. size:  7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Oceania: currently known only from Mackenzie basin of the upper Waitaki River system in South Island, New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal soft rays: 7-11; Vertebrae: 47-51. Distinguished from all other congeners in New Zealand in having only 4-6 pelvic fin rays and only 11-14 principal caudal rays (Galaxias pullus has 14 principal caudal rays, but has 7 pelvic fin rays, and is much more stoutly built; Galaxias cobitinis has only 5 pelvic fin rays, usually has 15 principal caudal fin rays, and has a distinctly protruding lower jaw). This species has distinctly rounded snout when viewed from both dorsal and lateral perspective (Ref. 75601).
Biology:  Collected mainly from small gravelly riffles in small streams. This fish appears to be cryptic (Ref. 75601).
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 05 August 2014 (B2ab(ii,iii,v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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