Teleostei (teleosts) >
Galaxiiformes (Southern smelts) >
Galaxiidae (Galaxiids) > Galaxiinae
Etymology: Galaxiella: Greek, galaxias, ou = a kind of fish, diminutive (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Temperate; 8°C - 24°C (Ref. 2060); 31°S - 35°S
Oceania: endemic to Australia. Known only from the southwestern part in coastal streams between Albany and Ellen Brook.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 4.7  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 6.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894); common length : 3.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5259)
Facultative air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Occur in swift-flowing, tea-colored streams coursing through karri forests. Also found in swamps, ponds and roadside ditches. Usually lives in small flowing streams near submerged vegetation. Water inhabited is darkly tannin-stained and acidic (pH 3.0-6.0) (Ref. 44894). Feed on insects and their larvae in water; also on micro-crustaceans. Spawning has been recorded from July to October, peaking between August and September when water temperatures and day length are on the rise. Multiple-spawning females deposit several clutches of eggs over a protracted period of a few weeks in flooded vegetation. Sexual maturity is attained in the first year. Spent adults usually die a few months after spawning (Ref. 44894).
Allen, G.R., 1989. Freshwater fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. (Ref. 5259)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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