Stocky galaxias facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stocky galaxias |
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| Conservation status | |
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Critically Endangered (ASFB)
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Galaxias
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| Species: |
tantangara
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The stocky galaxias, known scientifically as Galaxias tantangara, is a type of freshwater fish. It belongs to a family of fish called galaxiids. These fish are found in Australia. The stocky galaxias is part of a group of similar fish known as the Mountain Galaxias complex.
Contents
What Does the Stocky Galaxias Look Like?
The stocky galaxias has a long, tube-shaped body. It looks quite sturdy, especially around its middle section. Its tail fin is usually about the same length as the narrow part before the tail, called the caudal peduncle. The tail fin often has a square or slightly notched end.
The fins on its back and belly are a bit fleshy at their base. Its paired fins, like the ones on its sides, are less fleshy and are set low on its body. All its fins are generally rounded.
This fish has a medium-sized head that is wider than it is deep. The top of its head between its eyes is mostly flat. Its eyes are set low on its head. The mouth opens wide, and its lower jaw is slightly shorter than its upper jaw. Stocky galaxias fish can grow up to 103 millimetres (4.1 in) long. They are usually around 75–85 millimetres (3.0–3.3 in) long.
Colors and Markings
The stocky galaxias is mostly dark olive-brown on its back and sides. Below its lateral line (a line along its side), the color becomes lighter. Its belly is a creamy color. The fish has many small dark marks all over its body. These marks often join together to form small to medium blotches, especially on its head and snout. Its gill covers are somewhat clear and dusky. The iris of its eye is golden, and its fins are clear.
Where Does the Stocky Galaxias Live?
The stocky galaxias has only been found in one specific place. It lives in the upper parts of Tantangara Creek. This creek is located above the Tantangara Reservoir in the upper Murrumbidgee River system in Australia. The fish live at a high elevation of about 1,360 metres (4,460 ft).
They are found only above a small waterfall. Below this waterfall, there are alien trout, which are not native to the area. The stocky galaxias is limited to about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) of stream. This stretch is between the waterfall and the creek's source, which is at 1,630 metres (5,350 ft) high.
What is the Stocky Galaxias's Home Like?
The stocky galaxias lives in a cold, clear, and fast-flowing creek. This creek is in an alpine area, meaning it's high in the mountains. The area around the creek has open Eucalypt forests, small shrubs, and tussock grasses. It often gets covered with snow in winter.
The creek is about 80 centimetres (2.6 ft) wide and 10 centimetres (3.9 in) deep. It has deeper areas called pools, which are about 30 centimetres (12 in) deep. The bottom of the stream is made of bedrock and different sized stones. There are also some pebbles, gravel, and silty areas. The fish find places to hide among rocks, under banks, and under plants hanging over the water. They can also hide in the pools. This fish can handle very cold water, even below 5 °C (41 °F).
Life Cycle and Reproduction
The stocky galaxias spends its entire life in freshwater. It does not travel downstream to the sea or an estuary. Scientists are not sure exactly when they lay their eggs, but they think it might be in winter. Some fish collected in mid-March showed that their reproductive organs were developing. A few male and female fish were almost ready to spawn.
Why is the Stocky Galaxias Important?
The stocky galaxias is listed as critically endangered. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. It is protected under the NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994. Because it is so small and endangered, people do not fish for it.
