Cape Galaxias
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing in the genus ; May penetrate some distance inland and is widespread in lakes and rivers , which may be either acid (pH 5-6,5) or alkaline (pH 8-9) . Prefers gentle currents within shelter of banks near the head of pools . Small but extremely hardy, they are known to tolerate a wide range of water and temperature conditions . Feeds on small drifting invertebrates . Spawning period occurs in spring up to middle of summer , depending on the conditions . Ripe eggs are demersal, relatively large and numbering about 30-40 . Their small size and cryptic color enable them to avoid predators .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 14; Vertebrae: 36 - 42. Diagnosis: body slender and cylindrical, without scales; dorsal fin placed far back over anal fin; caudal fin truncated; mouth terminal, jaws with teeth; large eyes; internal organs visible in live specimens . Loss of two laterosensory pores beneath the lower jaw; elongate caudal peduncle . : elongated; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Cape Galaxias is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Cape Galaxias is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Breeding occurs in spring or summer depending on local conditions . Galaxias zebratus does not migrate to the sea for breeding purposes .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical; 18°C - 24°C ; 30°S - 34°S South Africa, occurs in Cape coastal streams and rivers from the Krom and upper Gamtoos River systems (south coast) to the Clanwilliam Olifants system (west coast)(Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small drifting invertebrates (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Cape Zebra · Cape galaxias |
| 🌍AFR | Kaapse Galaxias · Kaapse-Galaxias |
| 🌍CES | galaxie africká |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Kap-laksegedde |
| 🇩🇪German | Berghechtling · Kap-Galaxias · Kap-Hechtling |
| 🌍EST | Sebragalaks |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Seeprameltti |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Kokopu-zebra |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Зебровидная галаксия |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 斑馬南乳魚 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agalaxis punctifer | Castelnau | 1861 | Synonym |
| Agalaxis zebratus | Castelnau | 1861 | Synonym |
| Cobitis punctifer | Castelnau | 1861 | Synonym |
| Cobitis zebrata | Castelnau | 1861 | Synonym |
| Galaxias africanus | Weber | 1896 | Synonym |
| Galaxias capensis | Steindachner | 1894 | Synonym |
| Galaxias dubius | Gilchrist & Thompson | 1917 | Synonym |
| Galaxias punctifer | Castelnau | 1861 | Synonym |
| Paragalaxias zebratus | Castelnau | 1861 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 9 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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