Ornate galaxias facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ornate galaxias |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: |
Osmeriformes
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| Family: | |
| Subfamily: | |
| Genus: |
Galaxias
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| Species: |
G. ornatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Galaxias ornatus Castelnau, 1873
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The Ornate Galaxias (scientific name: Galaxias ornatus) is a type of freshwater fish. It belongs to a group of fish called galaxiids, which are found in Australia. This fish is part of the "Mountain Galaxias" family.
Contents
What Does the Ornate Galaxias Look Like?
The Ornate Galaxias has a long body that is not too deep. Its sides are a bit flat, and its back is slightly flattened between its front and belly fins. Its body curves smoothly from its tail to its nose.
Its head is a medium size and wider than it is deep. The fins are usually a bit thick and rounded. The belly fins are about 90% as long as the front fins, which look like paddles.
Size and Color
The biggest Ornate Galaxias ever found was about 110 millimeters (4.3 inches) long. But most of them are usually between 55 and 75 millimeters (2.2 to 3 inches) long.
Their color is usually tan or brown on their back, sides, and head. This color fades to a creamy white on their belly. They have many dark spots close together on their body. Some of these spots join up to make uneven stripes that go below their lateral line (a special line of sensors on a fish's side).
Some fish also have a thin line of gold spots on their upper back. They might also have a band of gold or coppery spots, especially towards their tail. Their gill covers are see-through, with a large golden spot. Their eyes have a shiny gold part called an iris.
Where Does the Ornate Galaxias Live?
The Ornate Galaxias mostly lives in rivers and streams along the coast of Victoria, Australia. These areas are south of the Great Dividing Range. They are found at heights of 35 to 800 meters (115 to 2,625 feet) above sea level. Sometimes, they can be found even higher, up to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet).
You can find them between Wilsons Promontory and Cape Otway. There is also a small group living north of the Great Dividing Range. This group is in a small creek that flows into the Yea River, which is part of the Goulburn River system.
What Kind of Places Does It Like to Live In?
The Ornate Galaxias prefers clear, cool, and shady creeks in the mountains. They also live in larger streams at lower heights. These streams are usually 0.5 to 8 meters (1.6 to 26 feet) wide, but can be up to 20 meters (65 feet) wide. They are typically 5 to 30 centimeters (2 to 12 inches) deep, with deeper pools of about 30 to 120 centimeters (1 to 4 feet).
The bottom of these streams can be different, from clay and sand to rocks and bedrock. The fish like places with lots of cover. This can be from rocks, fallen wood, plants in the water, or overhanging riverbanks.
Surviving in Different Conditions
In drier areas near Melbourne, like the Maribyrnong, Plenty, and Werribee rivers, these fish can survive. They live in small streams that sometimes dry up. They also live in large or small isolated pools that can sometimes become still.
In higher, colder areas northeast of Melbourne, such as the upper Yarra catchment, the fish can handle winter. The streams they live in can be covered in snow for periods of time.
Lifecycle and Reproduction
Ornate Galaxias fish lay their eggs (this is called spawning) from June to mid-August. The adult fish are ready to spawn from mid-April.
Unlike some other Galaxias species, the Ornate Galaxias stays in freshwater. It does not travel downstream to the ocean or river mouth to lay its eggs.
Conservation Status
The Ornate Galaxias is currently listed as "Least Concern." This means that scientists believe it is not at high risk of disappearing.
Why Are They Important to Humans?
These fish are not usually caught for sport because they are quite small.
