''Galaxias'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of small

freshwater fish Freshwater fish are those that spend some or all of their lives in fresh water, such as rivers and lakes, with a salinity of less than 1.05%. These environments differ from marine conditions in many ways, especially the difference in levels of s ...

in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Galaxiidae The Galaxiidae are a family of mostly small freshwater fish in the Southern Hemisphere. The majority live in Southern Australia or New Zealand, but some are found in South Africa, southern South America, Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia, and th ...

, and are frequently referred to as the galaxiids. These highly adaptable fish are typically found at

temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout t ...

latitudes across the Southern Hemisphere. Galaxiids are scaleless and somewhat tubular in body form, ranging from very slender to quite bulky. They are somewhat torpedo-shaped, with the

dorsal Dorsal (from Latin ''dorsum'' ‘back’) may refer to: * Dorsal (anatomy), an anatomical term of location referring to the back or upper side of an organism or parts of an organism * Dorsal, positioned on top of an aircraft's fuselage * Dorsal co ...

and

anal fin Fins are distinctive anatomical features composed of bony spines or rays protruding from the body of a fish. They are covered with skin and joined together either in a webbed fashion, as seen in most bony fish, or similar to a flipper, as se ...

s positioned close to the tail. They are generally small, with typical adults ranging between in total length, with some stocky species attaining around . The largest, ''Galaxias argenteus'', has been recorded at , although is a more typical adult length.

Species

The 46 recognized species in this genus are: * ''

Galaxias aequipinnis ''Galaxias aequipinnis'', the East Gippsland galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia. Description A long tubular fish to in length, comm ...

'' Raadik, 2014 (East Gippsland Galaxias) * '' Galaxias anomalus'' Stokell, 1959 (Roundhead Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias arcanus ''Galaxias arcanus'', the riffle galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia. Description ''Galaxias arcanus'' has the typical Galaxias body f ...

'' Raadik, 2014 (Riffle Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias argenteus ''Galaxias'' is a genus of small freshwater fish in the family Galaxiidae, and are frequently referred to as the galaxiids. These highly adaptable fish are typically found at temperate latitudes across the Southern Hemisphere. Galaxiids are s ...

Gmelin Gmelin may refer to: * Gmelin's test, a chemical test * Gmelin database, a German handbook/encyclopedia of inorganic compounds initiated by Leopold Gmelin People * Carl Christian Gmelin (1762–1837), German botanist, author of ''Flora Badensis ...

, 1789 (Giant Kōkopu) * ''

Galaxias auratus The Golden galaxias (''Galaxias auratus'') is an endangered species of landlocked galaxiid fish belonging to the genus ''Galaxias''. It is endemic to Lakes Crescent, Sorell, and their associated waterways located in central Tasmania, Australia. Des ...

'' Johnston, 1883 (Golden Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias brevipinnis The climbing galaxias or kōaro (''Galaxias brevipinnis'') is a fish of the family Galaxiidae found in Australia, New Zealand, and nearby islands. The name climbing galaxias is used in Australia, and koaro or kōaro in New Zealand. Further vernac ...

'' Günther, 1866 (Climbing Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias brevissimus ''Galaxias brevissimus'', the short-tail galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia. Description ''Galaxias brevissimus'' is a fish with a t ...

'' Raadik, 2014 (Short-tail Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias cobitinis The lowland longjaw galaxias (''Galaxias cobitinis'') is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', found only in the South Island of New Zealand, in the Kauru River, a tributary of the Kakanui River in north Otago, and in parts of the upper Wai ...

'' McDowall & Waters, 2002 (Lowland Long-jawed Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias depressiceps The flathead galaxias (''Galaxias depressiceps'') is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', found primarily in the Taieri River catchment in Otago, New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacif ...

'' McDowall & Wallis, 1996 (Flathead Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias divergens ''Galaxias divergens'', common name dwarf galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', found only in the lower North Island and upper South Island of New Zealand. It grows to a length of up to 9 cm. The single dorsal and anal fins ...

'' Stokell, 1959 (Dwarf Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias eldoni Eldon's galaxias (''Galaxias eldoni'') is an endangered galaxiid fish endemic to New Zealand. One of several fishes in the genus ''Galaxias'' found in Central Otago, it has a very small home range and is at risk of being driven to extinction by ...

'' McDowall, 1997 (Eldon's Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias fasciatus ''Galaxias'' is a genus of small freshwater fish in the family Galaxiidae, and are frequently referred to as the galaxiids. These highly adaptable fish are typically found at temperate latitudes across the Southern Hemisphere. Galaxiids are s ...

Gray Grey (more common in British English) or gray (more common in American English) is an intermediate color between black and white. It is a neutral or achromatic color, meaning literally that it is "without color", because it can be composed o ...

, 1842 (Banded Kōkopu) * ''

Galaxias fontanus ''Galaxias fontanus'', the Swan galaxias, is a species of fish in the family Galaxiidae. It is endemic to eastern Tasmania, Australia. The brownish-olive fish is only found in the Trout-free headwaters of the Swan and Macquarie River catchmen ...

Fulton Fulton may refer to: People * Robert Fulton (1765–1815), American engineer and inventor who developed the first commercially successful steam-powered ship * Fulton (surname) Given name * Fulton Allem (born 1957), South African golfer * Fult ...

, 1978 (Swan Galaxias) * '' Galaxias fuscus'' Mack, 1936 (Barred Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias globiceps ''Galaxias globiceps'' is a species of fish in the family Galaxiidae endemic to Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest ...

Eigenmann Eigenmann is a surname. Notable persons with that surname include: * Andi Eigenmann (born 1990), Filipino actress * Carl H. Eigenmann (1863–1927), German–American ichthyologist, husband of Rosa Eigenmann * Eduardo de Mesa Eigenmann, birth name ...

, 1928 * ''

Galaxias gollumoides The Gollum galaxias (''Galaxias gollumoides'') is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', found only in New Zealand, on Stewart Island/Rakiura, throughout the Catlins and Southland, and in the Nevis River The Nevis River is in Otago, New Zeal ...

'' McDowall &

Chadderton Chadderton is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, on the River Irk and Rochdale Canal. It is located in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Oldham, south of Rochdale and north-east of Manchester. Hi ...

, 1999 (Gollum Galaxias) * '' Galaxias gracilis'' McDowall, 1967 (Dwarf Inanga) * '' Galaxias gunaikurnai'' Raadik, 2014 (Shaw Galaxias) * '' Galaxias johnstoni''

Scott Scott may refer to: Places Canada * Scott, Quebec, municipality in the Nouvelle-Beauce regional municipality in Quebec * Scott, Saskatchewan, a town in the Rural Municipality of Tramping Lake No. 380 * Rural Municipality of Scott No. 98, Saska ...

, 1936 (Clarence Galaxias) * '' Galaxias lanceolatus'' Raadik, 2014 (Tapered Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias longifundus ''Galaxias longifundus'', the West Gippsland galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia. Description Length commonly , maximum recorded . Si ...

'' Raadik, 2014 (West Gippsland Galaxias) * '' Galaxias macronasus'' McDowall & Waters, 2003 * ''

Galaxias maculatus The common galaxias (''Galaxias maculatus'') or inanga (from the Māori ''īnanga'') is a very widespread Southern Hemisphere fish in the family Galaxiidae. It is a slim, narrow fish with a forked tail and a mottled, spotty pattern, typically a ...

'' Jenyns, 1842 (Common Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias mcdowalli ''Galaxias mcdowalli'', McDowall's galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia. Named in honor of Robert (Bob) Montgomery McDowall (1939-2011 ...

'' Raadik, 2014 (McDowall's Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias mungadhan ''Galaxias mungadhan'', the Dargo galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Victoria, Australia. Description Similar to other members of the mountain ...

'' Raadik, 2014 (Dargo Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias neocaledonicus ''Galaxias'' is a genus of small freshwater fish in the family Galaxiidae, and are frequently referred to as the galaxiids. These highly adaptable fish are typically found at temperate latitudes across the Southern Hemisphere. Galaxiids are s ...

Weber Weber (, or ; German: ) is a surname of German origin, derived from the noun meaning " weaver". In some cases, following migration to English-speaking countries, it has been anglicised to the English surname 'Webber' or even 'Weaver'. Notable pe ...

& de Beaufort, 1913 * '' Galaxias niger''

Andrews Andrews may refer to: Places Australia *Andrews, Queensland *Andrews, South Australia United States *Andrews, Florida (disambiguation), various places *Andrews, Indiana * Andrews, Nebraska *Andrews, North Carolina * Andrews, Oregon * Andrews, Sou ...

, 1985 (Black Galaxias) * '' Galaxias occidentalis'' Ogilby, 1899 (Western Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias olidus ''Galaxias olidus'', the mountain galaxias, is a species of freshwater galaxiid fish widely found in southeastern Australia. Description As for other members of the species complex, although ''Galaxias olidus'' exhibits a greater range of charac ...

'' Günther, 1866 (Mountain Galaxias) * '' Galaxias oliros'' Raadik, 2014 (Obscure Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias ornatus ''Galaxias ornatus'', the ornate galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia. Description Generally as for other members of the genus, body lo ...

'' Castelnau, 1873 (Ornate Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias parvus The small pedder galaxias (''Galaxias parvus'') or swamp galaxias, is a species of fish in the family Galaxiidae. It is endemic to Tasmania ) , nickname = , image_map = Tasmania in Australia. ...

'' Frankenberg, 1968 (Small Pedder Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias paucispondylus The alpine river galaxias (''Galaxias paucispondylus'') is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', found only in mid to high elevation streams flowing from the Southern Alps of New Zealand. It grows to a length of up to 11 cm. Alpine galaxias ...

'' Stokell, 1938 (Alpine Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias pedderensis The Pedder galaxias (''Galaxias pedderensis'') is an Australian freshwater fish. It is considered to be extinct in the wild since 2005 by the EPBC Act, and was originally found only in Lake Pedder in Tasmania. Range Originally recorded only i ...

'' Frankenberg, 1968 (Pedder Galaxias) * '' Galaxias platei''

Steindachner Franz Steindachner (11 November 1834 in Vienna – 10 December 1919 in Vienna) was an Austrian zoologist, ichthyologist, and herpetologist. He published over 200 papers on fishes and over 50 papers on reptiles and amphibians. Steindachner describ ...

, 1898 * '' Galaxias postvectis'' F. E. Clarke, 1899 (Short-jaw Kōkopu) * '' Galaxias prognathus'' Stokell, 1940 (Long-jaw Galaxias) * '' Galaxias pullus'' McDowall, 1997 (Dusky Galaxias) * '' Galaxias rostratus'' Klunzinger, 1872 (Flathead Galaxias) * '' Galaxias supremus'' Raadik, 2014 (Kosciuszko Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias tantangara ''Galaxias tantangara'', the stocky galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia. Only discovered in 2014, the fish is classed as critically e ...

'' Raadik, 2014 (Stocky Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias tanycephalus The saddled galaxias (''Galaxias tanycephalus'') is a species of fish in the family Galaxiidae. It is endemic to Tasmania ) , nickname = , image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg , map_caption ...

'' Fulton, 1978 (Saddled Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias terenasus ''Galaxias terenasus'', the roundsnout galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus ''Galaxias'', a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia. Description The most distinct member of the mountain galax ...

'' Raadik, 2014 (Roundsnout Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias truttaceus Spotted galaxias (''Galaxias truttaceus'') is a largish, primarily-freshwater galaxias species found in southern Australia. Spotted galaxias are perhaps the most beautiful of the Australian galaxias species. They are a somewhat tubular, deep-bo ...

Valenciennes Valenciennes (, also , , ; nl, label=also Dutch, Valencijn; pcd, Valincyinnes or ; la, Valentianae) is a commune in the Nord department, Hauts-de-France, France. It lies on the Scheldt () river. Although the city and region experienced a s ...

, 1846 (Spotted Galaxias) * '' Galaxias vulgaris'' Stokell, 1949 (Common River Galaxias) * ''

Galaxias zebratus The Cape galaxias (''Galaxias zebratus'') is a species of freshwater fish of the family Galaxiidae. It is a small fish, rarely larger than 6 cm, that inhabits clear streams, rivers and ponds of South Africa. It shares the same habitat as im ...

'' Castelnau, 1861 (Cape Galaxias)

Distribution

Galaxiids are restricted to the Southern Hemisphere, and generally only occur in

temperate latitude In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout t ...

s. Only one species is known from

subtropical The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Geographical z ...

habitats. Galaxiids are the dominant group of native freshwater fish in

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

, and, along with the

Percichthyidae The members of the family Percichthyidae are known as the temperate perches. They belong to the order Perciformes, the perch-like fishes. The name Percichthyidae derives from the Latin ''perca'' for perch and Ancient Greek ἰχθύς, ''ichthy ...

, one of two dominant groups of native freshwater fish in southeastern

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. Only one of the species ('' G. zebratus'') is found in Africa, and only three (''

G. globiceps G is the seventh letter of the Latin alphabet. G may also refer to: Places * Gabon, international license plate code G * Glasgow, UK postal code G * Eastern Quebec, Canadian postal prefix G * Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, ...

'', '' G. maculatus'', and '' G. platei'') are found in South America.

Habitat

Galaxiids are coolwater species, with many wholly freshwater species specialising in high-altitude upland streams (including very small streams), rivers, and lakes. Some galaxiids include a marine stage in their lifecycles where larvae are washed out to sea to develop, and return to rivers as juveniles. This type of diadromous

fish migration Fish migration is mass relocation by fish from one area or body of water to another. Many types of fish migrate on a regular basis, on time scales ranging from daily to annually or longer, and over distances ranging from a few metres to thousa ...

is known as amphidromy. These species are consequently also found in low-altitude habitats, but frequently migrate to high-altitude reaches of river systems in their adult stage.

Threats

Wholly freshwater galaxiids are gravely threatened by exotic

salmonid Salmonidae is a family of ray-finned fish that constitutes the only currently extant family in the order Salmoniformes . It includes salmon (both Atlantic and Pacific species), trout (both ocean-going and landlocked), chars, freshwater whitefis ...

species, particularly exotic

trout Trout are species of freshwater fish belonging to the genera '' Oncorhynchus'', ''Salmo'' and ''Salvelinus'', all of the subfamily Salmoninae of the family Salmonidae. The word ''trout'' is also used as part of the name of some non-salmoni ...

species, which prey heavily upon them and compete with them for food and habitat. This is a major concern, as exotic trout species have been introduced to many different land masses (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) with no thought as to impacts on native fish such as galaxiids, and no attempt to preserve some exotic trout-free habitats for native fish.Biodiversity, Alien trout, and the "So what" attitude
/ref> In most situations, wholly freshwater galaxiids are unable to persist in the presence of exotic trout species, and many are now restricted to the few remaining trout-free habitats. Where these species are found in the presence of trout, the galaxiids usually consist entirely of individuals which dispersed there from an upstream trout-free population, and are not self-sustaining. Numerous localised extinctions of wholly freshwater galaxiid species (i.e.

mountain galaxias ''Galaxias olidus'', the mountain galaxias, is a species of freshwater galaxiid fish widely found in southeastern Australia. Description As for other members of the species complex, although ''Galaxias olidus'' exhibits a greater range of charac ...

) have been caused by the introduction of exotic trout species (including ongoing illegal stockings) and a number of wholly freshwater galaxiid species are threatened with extinction by exotic trout species and other exotic

salmonids Salmonidae is a family of ray-finned fish that constitutes the only currently extant family in the order Salmoniformes . It includes salmon (both Atlantic and Pacific species), trout (both ocean-going and landlocked), chars, freshwater whitefi ...

. Introduced salmoniids also have a negative impact on diadromous galaxiids, competing with them for food and habitat, as well as preying on them. However, the impact is not as great and they appear to be able to persist in the presence of trout.

References

External links