| Galaxias lanceolatus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Galaxiiformes |
| Family: | Galaxiidae |
| Genus: | Galaxias |
| Species complex: | Mountain galaxias |
| Species: | G. lanceolatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Galaxias lanceolatus Raadik, 2014 | |
Galaxias lanceolatus, the tapered galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias , a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia. [2] [3]
Length commonly 65–70 millimetres (2.6–2.8 in) maximum recorded 84 millimetres (3.3 in). Body generally tubular, somewhat slender and flattened on the upper surfaces forward of the pelvic fins. Head is moderately sized with a wedge shape viewed from the side and width greater than the depth. Lower jaw shorter than the upper, about 90% of upper jaw length. Body mostly brown or greyish-brown on the back and sides above the lateral line as well as over the top and sides of the head and snout, brown to tan on the lower sides and becoming light brown or cream on the belly. The sides are overlain with brown to almost black blotches or narrow to slightly chevron shaped bars. There is a faint midline band of gold flecks on the sides, the gill covers are translucent with a small golden patch. The iris is coppery and the fins are grey and translucent. [3]
Recorded only from the headwaters of Stoney Creek, within the Thomson River basin of west Gippsland. Specimens have been captured from a limited (10 kilometres (6.2 mi)) reach of the stream at an approximate elevation of 690 metres (2,260 ft). The original distribution downstream is unknown with no records of the species in areas that have been colonised by introduced trout, including adjacent catchments within the overall Thomson River system. [3] Within its range, G. lanceolatus is the only member of the mountain galaxias species complex; the Shaw galaxias ( G. gunaikurnai ) occurs in a geographically isolated headwater tributary of the Macalister River some 70 kilometres (43 mi) east of Stoney Creek but still within the Thomson River basin. Other native species found in the same catchment include climbing galaxias ( G. brevipinnis ), short-finned eel ( Anguilla australis ), central highlands spiny crayfish (Euastacus woiwuru), Gippsland spiny crayfish (Euastacus kershawi) and common freshwater shrimp ( Paratya australiensis ). [3]
Galaxias lanceolatus is found in a small (0.5–1.5 metres (1.6–4.9 ft) wide) and shallow (100–500 millimetres (3.9–19.7 in) deep) cool, clear, slow-flowing creek within a forested area. Stream bottom is mainly cobble with areas of bedrock, gravel and sand. In-stream habitat consists mostly of some undercut banks and rocks with woody debris and stream-side vegetation. [3]
Purely a freshwater fish, unlike many members of the Galaxias genus which include a downstream migration to the sea within their lifecycle. Breeding season is unknown, but presumed to be late winter to early spring as females collected in May were at a mature stage of ovarian development with some males running ripe. [3]
Critically endangered, protected under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. [3] [4] [2]
Not an angling target due to small size and conservation status.
The climbing galaxias or kōaro 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 vernacular names include short-finned galaxias, broad-finned galaxias, Cox's mountain galaxias, and Pieman galaxias.
The mountain galaxias is a species complex of freshwater galaxiid fish found all over southeast Australia.
Galaxias olidus, the mountain galaxias, is a species of freshwater galaxiid fish widely found in southeastern Australia.
Galaxias fuscus, the barred galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.
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.
Galaxias fontanus, the Swan galaxias, is a species of fish in the family Galaxiidae. It is endemic to eastern Tasmania, Australia.
Euastacus dalagarbe is a species of freshwater crayfish endemic to Australia that belongs to the family Parastacidae. It has a small range in New South Wales and is regarded by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as "critically endangered".
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.
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.
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.
Galaxias gunaikurnai, the Shaw galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.
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.
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.
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.
Galaxias oliros, the obscure galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain Galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.
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.
Galaxias supremus, commonly known as the Kosciuszko galaxias, is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, a member of the Mountain galaxias species complex group of freshwater fish, found in Australia.
Galaxias tantangara, commonly known as 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 endangered, mainly because of being preyed upon by introduced species of trout.
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.
Euastacus bidawalus, the East Gippsland spiny crayfish, is an Australian freshwater crayfish endemic to the East Gippsland area of Victoria and the far south coast of New South Wales.
