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Galaxiidae
Mountain Galaxias (1).jpg
A mountain galaxias (Galaxias olidus)
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Superorder: Osmeromorpha
Order: Galaxiiformes
Family: Galaxiidae
Bonaparte 1832
Genera

Aplochiton
Brachygalaxias
Galaxias
Galaxiella
Lovettia
Neochanna
Paragalaxias

The Galaxiidae are a family of mostly small freshwater fish. They live in the Southern Hemisphere. Most of them are found in Southern Australia or New Zealand. You can also find some in South Africa, southern South America, Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia, and the Falkland Islands.

One type, the common galaxias (Galaxias maculatus), is probably the most widespread freshwater fish in the Southern Hemisphere. These fish like cool water. They live in temperate areas. Only one species is known from warmer, subtropical places. Many galaxiids are experts at living in cold, high-up upland rivers, streams, and lakes.

Some galaxiids spend their whole lives in fresh water. But many others have a special life cycle that includes the ocean. Their larvae hatch in a river. Then, they float downstream to the ocean. Later, they return to rivers as young fish (juveniles) to grow into adults. This journey is different from salmon. Salmon only return to fresh water to breed. This type of fish travel is called amphidromous.

Freshwater galaxiid species face a big danger from non-native fish. These are often salmonid species, especially trout. Trout eat galaxiids and compete with them for food. These non-native salmonids were brought to many places. This includes Australia and New Zealand. People did not think about how this would affect the native fish. They also did not try to save places free of salmonids for the native fish. Many galaxiid species have disappeared from local areas because of these introduced fish. Some freshwater galaxiid species are now in danger of disappearing completely.

What Kinds of Galaxiids Are There?

There are about 50 species in the Galaxiidae family. They are grouped into seven main types, called genera.

Main Groups (Genera)

  • Subfamily Lovettiinae
  • Subfamily Galaxiinae
    • Genus Aplochiton (two species)
    • Genus Brachygalaxias (two species)
    • Genus Galaxias (34 species)
    • Genus Galaxiella (three species)
    • Genus Neochanna (six species)
    • Genus Paragalaxias (four species)

Galaxiid Species by Location

Galaxiids in Australia

Galaxiids live along the southeastern coast of Australia. They are also found in parts of southwestern Australia. Galaxiids and temperate perches are the main native freshwater fish families in southern Australia.

Some species found in many areas include:

Southeastern Australian Mainland

Some species that are threatened here include:

Western Australia

Tasmania Fifteen types of galaxiids have been found in Tasmania. The most common ones are:

Tasmanian species that are endangered include:

  • Saddled galaxias, Galaxias tanycephalus
  • Pedder galaxias, Galaxias pedderensis
  • Swan galaxias, Galaxias fontanus
  • Swamp galaxias, Galaxias parvus
  • Golden galaxias, Galaxias auratus
  • Dwarf galaxias, Galaxiella pusilla
  • Clarence galaxias, Galaxias johnstoni
  • Tasmanian mudfish, Neochanna cleaveri
  • Western paragalaxias, Paragalaxias julianus
  • Great Lake paragalaxias, Paragalaxias eleotroides
  • Arthurs paragalaxias, Paragalaxias mesotes
  • Shannon paragalaxias, Paragalaxias dissimilis

Galaxiids in New Zealand

Twenty-three species of galaxiids have been found in New Zealand. Before non-native fish like trout were brought in, galaxiids were the main freshwater fish family. Most of these species live in fresh water their whole lives.

However, the young of five Galaxias species grow in the ocean. There, they are part of the tiny sea creatures called zooplankton. They return to rivers and streams as young fish (called whitebait). There, they grow into adults. All Galaxias species in New Zealand are unique to the area. The only exceptions are Galaxias brevipinnis (koaro) and Galaxias maculatus (inanga).

Some New Zealand species include:

Galaxiids in South America

  • Aplochiton taeniatus (Chile, Argentina, Falklands Islands)
  • Common galaxias or puyen, Galaxias maculatus (Chile, Argentina, Falkland Islands)
  • Brachygalaxias bullocki (Chile)
  • Brachygalaxias gothei (Chile)
  • Galaxias globiceps (Chile)
  • Galaxias platei (Chile)

Galaxiids in South Africa

  • Cape galaxias, Galaxias zebratus (Cape Province, South Africa)

Fishing for Galaxiids

The young galaxiids that grow in the ocean and then swim into rivers are caught as whitebait. People really value them as a special food. Adult galaxiids can also be caught for food. However, they are usually not very big. In some places, catching them might be against the law. This can happen unless it is allowed for indigenous groups.

Besides the serious problems from non-native trout, Australian adult galaxiids are often ignored by anglers. Anglers think they are "too small" and "not trout." But some Australian galaxiid species, even if small, grow big enough to be caught. They also readily bite on fishing flies. One of these, the spotted galaxias, was popular for fishing in Australia. This was before non-native trout were brought in. A few fly-fishing fans in Australia are now rediscovering the fun of catching these native fish. They use very light fishing gear and release the fish afterwards.

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See also

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In Spanish: Galáxidos para niños

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