Mountain Galaxias

📖 Overview

Facultative air-breathing in the genus ; Adults live mainly in small, clear, flowing streams with gravel or sand bottoms from near sea level to about 1800 m elevation. May be cryptic, living among log debris and boulders, or sometimes found in loose shoals in more open conditions. Also occur in small upland tarns where they may be found shoaling in open water. Tolerant of very cold water, they have been collected from a tarn surrounded by deep snow. Life cycle (maximum life span of about 4 years) is restricted to fresh water. Feed on benthic and drifting invertebrates. Mature individuals breed in spring (sometimes extending to autumn); adults move upstream into shallow riffle areas to lay their demersal, adhesive eggs over rocky bottoms .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 12; Anal soft rays: 8 - 14; Vertebrae: 49 - 60. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters and careful comparison with the diagnoses, descriptions and geographical distributions of the other species: some populations, or individuals within a population, have a series of small, closely-spaced and short, distinct mid-lateral black bars, usually extending from near the pectoral fin base posteriorly to past the pelvic fin base, though equally as often, absent; body depth at vent moderately shallow (8.3-16.9 % SL); caudal peduncle length similar to that of caudal fin, relatively shortish, but moderately deep; dorsal midline usually partly flattened anteriorly from above pelvic fins; trunk with dorsal and ventral profiles relatively gently and evenly arched; interorbital often relatively flat though sometimes slightly to strongly convex; nostrils short to moderately long, usually non-visible from ventral view; mouth generally terminal, occasionally slightly sub-terminal; lower jaw shorter than upper jaw; caudal peduncle flanges usually low and long. generally reaching to, or near, the anal fin base; anal fin origin usually under 0.68 (0.21-1.14) distance posteriorly along dorsal fin base; pyloric caecae 1, more often 2, of moderate length (mean length of 3.1 % SL); gill rakers variable, short to moderately long and stout to moderately thin; expanded caudal fin rays usually equal to body depth through pectoral fin base, occasionally wider or narrower; lamina of paired fins oriented anterio-ventrally to ventrally; raised lamellae can be present on ventral surface of rays, and if so, weakly to strongly developed .Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Mountain Galaxias is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 1 m . Temperate; 4°C - 30°C

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute