Short-tail galaxias facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Short-tail 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. brevissimus
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| Binomial name | |
| Galaxias brevissimus Raadik, 2014
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The Short-tail galaxias (scientific name: Galaxias brevissimus) is a special type of freshwater fish. It belongs to a group of fish called Galaxias. This fish is part of the "Mountain Galaxias" family. You can find it living in freshwaters in Australia.
Contents
What Does the Short-tail Galaxias Look Like?
The Short-tail galaxias has a long, tube-shaped body. This is typical for fish in the Galaxiid family. What makes it special is its short tail. Its common name, "Short-tail galaxias," comes from this feature.
These fish usually grow to be about 70 to 75 millimeters (about 3 inches) long. The biggest one ever found was 95 millimeters (about 3.7 inches) long.
Its body is mostly mottled brown on top and along its sides. This pattern continues over its head and nose. Below its side line, the color gets lighter. Its belly is light brown or cream.
Where Does the Short-tail Galaxias Live?
This fish has only been found in one place. It lives in a creek in the very high parts of the Tuross River area. This river is located in southeastern New South Wales, Australia.
The creek is about 950 meters (3,117 feet) above sea level. It is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) downstream from where the river starts. We don't know how far downstream these fish used to live. It's possible they lived in more places in the past. However, fish like introduced trout might have reduced their living areas.
What Is the Short-tail Galaxias's Home Like?
The Short-tail galaxias is a freshwater fish. It does not go into saltwater at any point in its life. The only place it has been found is a small, clear creek. This creek flows gently and is quite open.
The creek is about 1 meter (3 feet) wide and 300 millimeters (1 foot) deep. Some parts of the creek have deeper pools, up to 90 centimeters (3 feet) deep. The creek bed is mostly clay covered with sand and some silt.
The fish find places to hide among rocks and water plants. Overhanging grass also provides cover. The land around the creek has been changed by humans. It was cleared for grazing animals, so now it has pasture and grass.
Lifecycle and Reproduction
Scientists don't know much about how the Short-tail galaxias breeds. Fish examined in mid-March were just starting to develop their eggs. The smallest fish found at this time was 49.4 millimeters (about 2 inches) long. This suggests they might breed in late winter or early spring.
It is believed that the Short-tail galaxias does not travel to the sea or river mouth during its life.
Why Is This Fish Important to Humans?
People do not fish for the Short-tail galaxias. It is too small to be a good target for fishing. Also, it is a protected species, meaning it is important to conserve it.
