| Family: |
Galaxiidae (Galaxiids), subfamily: Galaxiinae |
| Max. size: |
10.3 cm FL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 13.0 g |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; depth range 0 - 1 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Oceania: Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-11; Anal soft rays: 10-12; Vertebrae: 53-56. This species is distinguished from its congeners within the Galaxias olidus complex by the following characters: low mean total gill raker count of 10; body stocky and deep through vent and pectoral fin base (12.6-15.6 and 14.9-17.9 % SL); deep caudal peduncle (8.5-10.2 % SL); head obtuse to slightly bulbous in lateral profile and moderately deep (41.4-48.2 % HL) but wide (63.4-72.8 % HL); gape wide (40.2-51.0 % HL and 59.6-72.2 % HW); eye profiles often not visible laterally from ventral view; nostrils are short, not visible from ventral view; caudal fin weakly emarginate to truncate, about as long or slightly longer than caudal peduncle, vertical width of expanded rays usually equal to body depth through the pectoral fin base; caudal peduncle flanges are long, reaching more than half distance to anal fin base; anal fin long (16.3 % SL); most posterior extent of mouth 0.8 eye diameter below ventral margin of eye; dorsal midline is usually flattened anteriorly from above or slightly posterior to pectoral fin bases; no raised lamellae from ventral surface of rays of paired fins; anal fin origin usually under 0.73 distance posteriorly along dorsal fin base; pyloric caeca usually 2, occasionally 1, relatively thin and long (4.7 % SL); gill rakers are short to very short; no distinct black bars along lateral line (Ref. 98815). |
| Biology: |
A freshwater fish that is unable to undertake diadromous migrations. Recorded from a small (0.8 m average width and 0.1 m in average depth), cold, clear and fast flowing alpine creek, flowing through an open forest of Eucalyptus, low shrubs and tussock grass, and which is often snow covered during winter. Flow consisted predominantly of riffle and glide, with smaller amounts of cascades. Substrate composed of bedrock, boulder, and cobble, with smaller amounts of pebble and gravel, and sections of silt. Instream cover provided mainly by rock and by bank and vegetation overhang, and pools averaged 0.3 m in depth. Recorded at a density of 1.8 fish/m2 and the only native fish so far recorded from within its range (Ref. 98815). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 13 February 2019 (B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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