Galaxiid Fishes S

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Victoria’s
galaxiid fishes
revised 2018
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Contents
Foreword ..............................................................................III
Family Galaxiidae...................................................................IV
Key to the Galaxiidae genera in Victoria .................................VI
Genus Galaxias ...................................................................1
Selected terminology used .......................................................4
Quick-guide to selected Galaxias species ..................................5
Spotted Galaxias Galaxias truttaceus ......................................6
Climbing Galaxias Galaxias coxii ............................................9
Common Galaxias Galaxias maculatus .................................14
Flathead Galaxias Galaxias rostratus ....................................18
Hinterland Galaxias Galaxias sp. 1 .......................................20
Obscure Galaxias Galaxias oliros ..........................................22
Roundsnout Galaxias Galaxias terenasus ..............................24
Riffle Galaxias Galaxias arcanus ...........................................26
Galaxias group 1 – inland drainage ....................................28
Barred Galaxias Galaxias fuscus ...........................................30
Many-barred Galaxias Galaxias sp. 2 ....................................32
Bright Galaxias Galaxias sp. 2A ...........................................33
Goulburn Galaxias Galaxias spp. ..........................................34
Lima Galaxias Galaxias sp. ..................................................35
Cobberas Galaxias Galaxias sp. 3 .........................................36
Mitta Mitta Galaxias Galaxias sp. 4 .......................................38
Ovens Galaxias Galaxias sp. 5 .............................................40
Mount Buffalo Galaxias Galaxias sp. 5A ...............................42
Bogong Galaxias Galaxias sp. 6 ...........................................44
Morass Galaxias Galaxias sp. 7 ............................................48
Galaxias group 2 – south-coast drainage .............................52
Cardinia Galaxias Galaxias ornatus ......................................54
Diamond Galaxias Galaxias aff. ornatus ‘Bunyip Western’ .....56
Bunyip Galaxias Galaxias aff. ornatus ‘Bunyip Eastern’ ..........58
Tarago Galaxias Galaxias aff. ornatus ‘Tarago’ ......................60
Yarra Galaxias Galaxias aff. ornatus ‘Yarra’ ..........................62
Maribyrnong Galaxias Galaxias sp. ‘Maribyrnong’ ..................66
Lerderderg Galaxias Galaxias sp. ‘Lerderderg’ .......................68
Brown Barwon Galaxias Galaxias sp. ‘Barwon-1’ ..................70
Dusky Barwon Galaxias Galaxias sp. ‘Barwon-2’ ...................72
Victoria’s Otways Galaxias Galaxias sp. 10 ..........................................74
galaxiid fishes Cawker Galaxias Galaxias sp. 8 ............................................76
Revised edition 2018 Langkoop Galaxias Galaxias sp. 9 ........................................77
Galaxias group 3 – east-coast drainage ...............................78
©2016 Rudie H Kuiter. Nunniong Galaxias Galaxias sp. 11 ......................................80
There is no objection to copying Nunniong Galaxias Galaxias sp. 11 var. Ensay........................82
parts of this book for personal McDowall’s Galaxias Galaxias mcdowalli ..............................84
use. Please check with author West Gippsland Galaxias Galaxias longifundus .....................86
for other uses – by email: Tapered Galaxias Galaxias lanceolatus .................................88
rudiekuiter@optusnet.com.au Tarwin Galaxias Galaxias sp 12 ............................................90
Shaw Galaxias Galaxias gunaikurnai ....................................94
Dargo Galaxias Galaxias mungadhan ...................................96
PDF version
East Gippsland Galaxias Galaxias aequipinnis .....................100
Genus Neochanna ..........................................................102
Publisher
Tasmanian Mudfish Neochanna cleaveri .............................102
Aquatic Photographics Genus Galaxiella ............................................................104
PO Box 124 Dwarf Galaxias Galaxiella pusilla .......................................104
Seaford 3198 Little Galaxias Galaxiella toourtkoourt ...............................108
Victoria Index ...............................................................................110
Australia Literature sited or used .......................................................110
Acknowledgements
I like to thank the people who contributed in various ways
over the many years to make this publication possible. A
special thanks to Mitch Smith, Bob Lindhe and Steve Kuiter
for their help and logistical support to the remote wild
regions. Also thank you to Mitch Smith, Bob Lindhe,
AQUATIC Tarmo Raadik, Philip Cadwallader and Paul McCartney
who collected some of the species to be photographed.
PHOTOGRAPHICS
II Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter
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Foreword
The Galaxiidae family is by far the largest of native fishes in Victoria, representing an important part of the
unique ancient fauna of Gondwana origin, but galaxiid fishes are much ignored. With nearly all habitats
destroyed and the reckless release of predatory trout into river catchments, most of the Galaxias populations
have vanished and an unknown number of species are now extinct, many of which never seen. All galaxias
taxa are critically endangered in timbered habitats and many of those shown this book will vanish in the next
few decades from loss of habitat and invading salmonid predators. The urgency to publish an informative
pictorial book on Victoria’s galaxiid fishess became apparent after witnessing their rapid decline over the
years. Photographs for this book were taken since 1981 and many populations of the taxa illustrated here
can no longer be found due to the clearing, deforesting, deliberate fires and the release of predatory salmonid
fishes into the wild. Prior to the European colonisation the galaxiid fishes were common and widespread in
the forest streams, from the foothills to alpine plains in the highlands, but with suitable habitats drastically
reduced the taxa have become highly localised in the natural habitat tributaries of rivers. Since the first ships
arrived in 1788, land-clearing culture from the colonial attitudes continues, controlled by the government’s
environmental departments. The natural environments are in decline with lands progressively cleared and the
minimal remaining livable habitats are far from being safe.
Clearfell logging, a heavily subsidised woodchips export industry, removes all vegetation from a section of
forest and completely destroys ecosystems that evolved over tens of thousands of years and need centuries
to recover. In timbered regions the livable habitats of the galaxiids are progressively reduced to small areas
of forest or completely removed. After deforesting the bush-birds can move on, but the galaxias fishes do not
have a choice when during dry periods their upstream forests streams evaporate, that normally have water
flows or pools from transpiring vegetation. Victoria’s unique native bushlands should be appreciated and
looked after, but they are further threatened by the deliberate fire regime. Scientific studies have shown that
such bushfires are detrimental to the environment and destroy the ecosystems for many decades, while being
a very large contributor to the greenhouse gases. They usually are conducted when conditions are wrong and
have a particularily high killing rate in areas where fires do not occur naturally. The effected cryptic animals
are rarely seen and not missed, but they play most important roles in ecosystems. This includes nesting birds,
small mammals, reptiles, numerous insects and fishes. When iconic koalas are known in an area there may
be protests, but where the countless non-iconic creatures live these burns go on. Sensitive plants are driven
to extinction, especially the specialised orchids, that in addition may lose their associated insect pollinators.
All aquatic life-forms from the sessile to the most highly mobile life-forms are habitat-specific as the entire
ecosystem acts as one. The forest species of the Victoria’s endemic galaxias are critically endangered in the
remaining bush regions, but few people would even know the existence of native galaxias. The detrimental
effects on the aquatic environments are rarely taken into account, but they are just as horrendous. When
shaded streams lose their riparian growth and forests their canopy, temperatures rise, water evaporates and
algae bloom. The transpiring vegetation that maintains water in streams during the dry periods is gone, the
run-off from the rain carrying dirt and soils into the creeks fills the deeper refuge sections. In addition if a
fire retardant is used it instantly kills the fish, frogs and many other creatures. The presence of unique species
means being part of a special ecosystem, typically encompassing many rare and endangered flora & fauna
members on land and in the aquatic life. Retaining healthy habitats is a priority and any kind interference
may jeopardise this. Deliberately set fires in natural habitats are most destructive, especially in remote areas
where it makes no sense to burn or re-burn habitats. In recently burned habitats plants are immature and the
survived creatures are still recovering to sustainable numbers and ecological damage is done the most with
another fire. Whilst the loss of biodiversity is generally blamed on the increased rate of human population
growth, it is habitat destruction and the deliberate fires in the unpopulated regions.
The deliberate fires are conducted under the misleading ‘fuel reduction’ banner, an action which was picked
from recommendations made by a recent Royal Commission on bushfires to protect communities, but were
modified to suit and use fire as ‘fuel-reduction’ in unrelated bushlands throughout the state. A ‘legal-arson’
monster was created under misleading banners, including ‘ecological burns’, causing greenhouse gases and
air-pollution effecting the health of people and animals alike. The destruction of a valuable natural asset is a
much too high price to pay for retaining a heavily-subsidised woodchips industry and it would make much
more sense investing in a healthy environment for the long-term future. The deliberate fires do not prevent
wild fires, or stop the grass fires that have become the main problem, but makes the opened bushland drier
and wildfires will travel much faster instead. To stop this destructive fire-monster created by the government
backed industrial ‘environmental’ businesses may be difficult with their propaganda machine.
Our money should be spend wisely on fire fighting – not fire lighting
This book on galaxiid fishes will hopefully help in the goal to keep the National Parks and Flora & Fauna
Reserves healthy, completely stop clearfell logging and arrest the destructive burning of ecological sensitive
native bushland and forests that are critical and struggling to survive.
Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter III

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Family Galaxiidae – galaxiid fishes

A family of small to medium sized freshwater fishes in the southern hemisphere that range in size from about
30 mm for dwarf Galaxiella, and to the largest 58 cm of a New Zealand Galaxias. In Victoria most Galaxias
are small with taxa up to about 10 to 20 cm in total length, but most of the species fall in the 10 cm range.
The Galaxiidae family is of Gondwana origin and the majority of species occur in Australia and New Zealand.
A single species is known from South Africa and a few others occur in South America. The most widespread
taxon Galaxias maculatus occurs in Australia, New Zealand, South America, and their nearby oceanic
islands, but it may actually represent a species-complex. Seven galaxias genera are recognised world-wide),
and in Victoria the family comprises 4 genera: Galaxias about 35 species, Galaxiella with 2, whilst Lovettia
and Neochanna have a single species each. Neochanna is mainly known in Tasmania and rare in Victoria,
found in few locations in the Bass Strait region and Lovettia is found only in brackish and saltwater habitats
(not included here). Few of the Galaxias taxa are diadromous, but some of which have land-locked breeding
populations. The greatest diversity in Galaxias is found from the forested foothills up to the alpine zone in
the high country, comprising many species-complexes collectively known as Mountain Galaxias.
The number of Galaxias species for the southeastern region of Australia, NSW, SA, Tasmania and Victoria,
is estimated to be about 80 with taxa-complexes comprising many undetermined members. For example,
members of the G. coxii-complex, several of which occur in Tasmania, at least one in Victoria and several
more in NSW, are going under the name G. brevipinnis, a New Zealand endemic taxon. Most galaxias taxa,
inhabiting the forested foothills to high altitude mountains, live their entire lives in cool freshwater streams.
Many populations became isolated due to habitat prefences and climate changes in their strive to keep in
touch with the most suitable conditions, which usually meant moving to higher altitudes, whilst others were
forced to adapt to the changes or vanish. This resulted in the divergence into many species-complexes. The
species found in the numerous river catchments of the Great Dividing Range became very localised in the
upper-reaches of headwaters, even at relatively low altitudes, whilst a few of the coastal species have a
marine stage as part of their life-cycle remained widespread.
Species that have a marine stage as part of their life-cycle, usually spawn in the intertidal zones in brackish
water in tune with highest Spring-tides. The common and widespread Galaxias maculatus typically spawn
in estuarine habitats, in which eggs are laid amongst vegetation in the flooded margins and males release
their sperm in massive amounts, clouding the water. The eggs develop more or less above the water-line to
be ready when inundated some weeks later with the next large Spring-tide, and the hatchlings are washed
out to sea. After feeding on zooplankton for a few months in coastal waters they return to their places of
birth, body very elongated, somewhat ribbon shaped, but of a moderately large size ranging from about 40
to 60 mm in total length, depending on the species. The glass-like transparent post-larval stages are known
as whitebait. Soon after entering streams the post-larvae transform to juveniles and their chromophores
develops quickly, whilst simultaneously their body thickens and become more stocky within a few days. The
fishes’ life-cycle of being born in estuaries, then swept into the ocean as a larval stage before returning into
freshwater to grow into adults is known as amphidromous. Landlocked populations readily spawn in lakes
and the adults may look slightly different in colour or have a more stocky shape.
A bleak future
Historically forest streams were pristine highly oxygenated waters, typically cool and clear, where galaxiid
fishes were king, but habitat destruction began when the first fleet arrived. The clearing of land progressed
rapidly, whilst also introducing exotics: plants, cattle, predatory fish, that degraded aquatic habitats for ever.
Victoria’s native fishes have greatly declined in their numbers and greatest majority of galaxias populations
have vanished because of habitat loss. Deforesting and clearing bush land is the greatest threat to a habitat,
including aquatic ecosystems. Forestry industry tops the list in endangering the remaining inland galaxias with
their logging-coupes. Clearfell logging effects large areas, removing all animals, including insects, as well as
rare plants. Grounds left behind are so disturbed that it takes decades for natives to return and centuries for
ecosystems to recover. Aquatic habitats are badly effected by rain from run-offs, causing silting and turbit
waters, and drying out from the lack of water supply transpirated at night by the vegetation during drought
periods. With open air exposure the water temperatures rise and the light promotes algae growth, completely
changing the ecosystem. Living downstream is not an option for forest habitat species as the water is too
warm and the imminent threat of introduced predatory salmonid fishes is usually present.
Threats to the surviving species in small isolated streams are the continuing logging and deliberately burning
bushlands, whilst in the high country they are cattle and restocking by fisheries of salmonid fishes – the
“aquatic foxes”. In most regions the trout have invaded small streams that lack natural barriers, moving in
from lakes and large river basins. Most of the galaxias taxa are restricted to the small uppermost tributaries
in the headwaters of river basins where the salmonids are kept out by natural barriers, but cattle and brumbies
may ruin their habitats. Many headwater species in the Great Dividing Range have vanished during the last
IV Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter
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few decades and those left in the high plains are being wiped out due to deforesting, habitat degradation and
salmonid invasion. An unnamed taxon shown in Lake, 1976 (image 29) from the Buchan River headwaters
is one taxon known to have gone extinct. It is a worry to think that images included in this book taken from
the early 1980s show species and that no longer exist and no doubt many taxa have gone extinct before
they were even discovered or recognised. The small percentages of natural and healthy habitats left in
Victoria are far from being safe. One can see the destructive long-term consequences from logging with
native fishes lost from almost the entire basin in the headwaters of the Latrobe River. Galaxias were looked
for in the area since the early 1980s and revealed sandy or muddy streams in the upper reaches. Only a
small population of the once widespread West Gippsland Galaxias Galaxias longifundus (shown below) was
found in a small upper section of a stream, its last stand – like for many species. It has the official status of
critically endangered, but this is typically ignored as logging and burning continues in the area.
Listing a Galaxias as Critically-endangered offers no protection from habitat destruction or predatory trout.
Inland or forest galaxias species are rarely collected by aquarists, being to demanding to keep, requiring cold
water and live food, and considering this as a threat is unwarranted. The majority of galaxias taxa living in
forest stream habitat have become very rare and several species face a bleak future. The environmental
departments continue burning and clearing the very small percentage of bushlands left in Victoria.
Endangered-species really means habitat loss, driving many taxa to extinction, whilst restocking programs
of the predatory salmonid fishes in most places are conducted without consideration of small native fishes
living in the connecting streams. So, what is a protected species?
Unfortunately there appears to be minimal interest in the galaxiid fishes to see meaningful action eventuate
that can save the threatened galaxiids and help in recovery of their numbers. Recovery plans only exists for
vulnerable species listed under a recognised scientific name, but rehabilitating the bush & forest should be
done regardless, arrest the HABITAT DESTRUCTION and keep the feral salmonids at bay.
Above West Gippsland Galaxias. It was only recently

named as Galaxias longifundus, but known from just
one creek. Thus, has a very limited distribution and is
one of the most endangered galaxias or is possibly
now extinct. The region suffers from clearfell logging
and habitats in the region are ruined by fire under the
misleadingly-called ‘fuel reduction’ banner. This taxon
was last seen in 2012 and if any are left, clearing or
more burning may have wiped out the last surviving
populations of a historically widespread galaxias in the
region. Specimens collected from south of Traralgon
in 1918 held in the Museum were thought to be this
taxon, but habitats were progressively ruined in the
Latrobe River catchment by the logging and burning
in the foothills by the forestry industry.
Right Type-locality of the West Gippsland Galaxias,
Rintoul Creek in 2016 after a little rain. The water
was very turbid from run-offs coming from the steep
dirt roads and grounds exposed from clearfell logging
upstream. No fish were found, but excess was limited
to the stream by black berries and few roads.
Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter V

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Key to the Galaxiidae genera in Victoria

1 dorsal fin origin posterior to anal fin origin (1) ..............................................Galaxiella p 104
dorsal fin origin above or anterior to anal fin origin (2)...........................................................2
2 caudal fin rounded (3) ...............................................................................Neochanna p 102
caudal fin truncate to emarginate (4) .......................................................................Galaxias 3
2-1 Galaxiella
1
Small size, to about 30 mm TL. Median fins
small and rounded. Eye large. Lives in slow
moving or still waters with good plant growth at
low altitudes. Freshwater only.
1 Galaxiella pusilla ........................ p 104
2 Galaxiella toourtkoourt,.............. p 108
2 3
2-2 Neochanna
Size, to about 15 cm TL. Median fins moderate and rounded. Eye very small.
Diadromous, lives in muddy coastal drainages at low altitudes, very secretive, and
sometimes found in underground streams.
1 Neochanna cleaveri ...................................................................... p 102
4
2
3 Galaxias
Sizes from about 8 to 20 cm. Caudal fin truncate to emarginate with broadly
rounded lobes. Eye small to medium sized. Coastal to high country, most taxa
freshwater only, few diadromous.
1 Galaxias aequipinnis ........ p 100 19 G. truttaceus ...................... p 6
2 G. arcanus ......................... p 26 20 G. sp. 1. ‘Hinterland’ ...... p 20
3 G. coxii ............................... p 9 21 G. sp. 2. ‘Many-bar’ ........ p 32
4 G. fuscus............................ p 30 22 G. sp. 3. ‘Cobberas’ ........ p 36
5 G. gunaikurnai................... p 94 23 G. sp. 4. ‘Mitta Mitta’...... p 38
6 G. lanceolatus .................... p 88 24 G. sp. 5. ‘Ovens’............. p 40
7 G. longifundus ................... p 86 25 G. sp. 5A. ‘Mt Buffalo’ .... p 42
8 G. maculatus...................... p 14 26 G. sp. 6. ‘Bogong’ .......... p 44
9 G. mcdowalli...................... p 84 27 G. sp. 7. ‘Morass’ ........... p 48
10 G. mungadhan ................... p 96 28 G. sp. 8. ‘Cawker’........... p 76
11 G. oliros............................. p 22 29 G. sp. 9. ‘Langkoop’ ....... p 77
12 G. ornatus.......................... p 54 30 G. sp. 10. ‘Otways’ ........... p 74
13 G. aff. ornatus ‘Bunyip W’... p 56 31 G. sp. 11. ‘Nunniong’........ p 80
14 G. aff. ornatus ‘Bunyip E’.... p 58 32 G. sp. 12. ‘Tarwin’ ............ p 88
15 G. aff. ornatus ‘Tarago’ ....... p 60 33 G. sp. ‘Barwon-1’ ............. p 70
16 G. aff. ornatus ‘Yarra’ ......... p 62 34 G. sp. ‘Barwon-2’.............. p 72
17 G. rostratus ........................ p 18 35 G. sp. ‘Lerderderg’ ............ p 68
18 G. terenasus ....................... p 24 36 G. sp. ‘Maribyrnong’ ......... p 66
VI Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter

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Genus Galaxias Cuvier, 1816

Gender: masculine. Type species: Esox truttaceus Cuvier 1816.
Body tubular or cylindrical, lacking scales; lateral line well developed, fins soft-rayed, no spines, and
dorsal fin placed far back above anal fin, both short-based. Anal-fin origin close behind and dorsal-fin
near above vent. Ventral fins abdominal, placed about halfway of total length. Caudal fin typically with
16 principal rays supported by well developed pro-current rays in thick skin along caudal peduncle.
Jaws with a single row of conical teeth. Sexes are similar. An estimated 36 taxa occur in Victoria.
Coastal Galaxias coxii, G. maculatus and G. truttaceus are known to be diadromous, but each of these
species may have land-locked breeding populations. Little is known about migratory behaviour of the other
species within the river catchments, localised populations living in cool forest streams in the hinterlands or
the streams of the open plains in the high country. The movement of inland species became restricted due
limiting their habitats and the introduction of invasive predatory salmonid fishes. The taxa collectively known
as mountain galaxias comprise a large number of different species that were erroneously synonymised under
a single taxon in a major revision of the Australian Galaxias species. This highly diverse group comprising
many different taxa, and since then some of which the original names were re-erected and new names for
several others that were recognised as undescribed. Of these, the first re-erected name was Galaxias fuscus,
a very distinctive bright orange species with a series of vertically-elongated black blotches mid-laterally. Most
others are similar in colour, difficult to distinguish as Galaxias lack scales, have almost identical body shapes,
whilst their markings or colourations may be variable within populations of the presumed same species.
Morphological characters need to be more defined and taken into account to distinguish taxa. Early stages
usually lack any distinguishable features and at first glance may be almost impossible to identify to a species.
To make a positive identification one needs to look at the adults from the same locality. Highland streams
rarely have more than one Galaxias species at a given locality, but a migratory species such as G. coxii can
be sympatric with various other taxa. Sympatric mixed species usually occupy different substrates habitats or
have separating life-styles. One may occur in the upper rocky sections whilst the other prefers downstream
in the sandy and riparian-vegetated parts or open water. Species such as G. coxii can move well upstream
and far inland, climbing above falls. At moderately high elevations it can be sympatric with other Galaxias
members living in the foothills. The Common Galaxias G. maculatus and Hinterland Galaxias G. sp. 1 were
found sympatric in the low lands about 10 km from the coast and maybe both are diadromous. Most of the
historically widespread inland galaxias species occur in isolated and scattered small populations restricted to
the upper tributaries of rivers that have natural barriers to keep the introduced predatory salmonid fishes out,
but several species are now extinct and many others critically endangered.
Taxonomy
In general the galaxiids received little attention by the ichthyological taxonomists and work on the Australian
members of the Galaxidae family has been relatively poor since the original brief descriptions of a few taxa.
A study of galaxiid fishes of Australia was presented by McDowall & Frankenberg, 1981, recognising 14
species in the genus Galaxias, 6 of which in Victoria. This included G. cleaveri, now placed in Neochanna,
and the species collectivity known as mountain galaxias were lumped under the ‘catch all’ name G. olidus
Günther, 1866. The authors seemed to have justified the use of G. olidus based on few selected characters
shared by the various mountain forms, in particular the presence of a single peloric caecum (appendage
attachment to the stomach, but which species?). In taxonomy the various species are based on differences,
not selected sharing characters. The ‘lumping’ included some described and numerous undescribed taxa
found in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and southern Queensland. Type specimen of G. olidus
was sent to Günther by Mr. Gerard Krefft (Curator and Secretary of the Australian Museum 1861–1874),
with given locality ‘?Queensland’. Perhaps this was only because Krefft had sent samples of the Queensland
lungfish he had described and was famous for. In 1896. Ogilby from the Australian Museum stated ‘it proved
to be from New Zealand’, but this was perhaps an assumption based on the second specimen in the jar with
the type, identified as G. brevipinnis. During recent decades it had became clear that ‘mountain galaxias’
collectively referred to as Galaxias olidus comprised multiple species. The re-discovery by the author in
1982 of a population of Galaxias fuscus (Armstrong, 1993) showed that the synonymy with G. olidus was
incorrect and many other forms found were assumed to be new taxa. The Victorian species became part of
a major study by Tarmo Raadik on the mountain galaxiids for his doctoral degree after a long taxonomic
drought. It resulted in re-erecting previously synonymised names and he described a number new species in
2014 from Victoria. However, the status of many forms remained unresolved, which includes the identity of
the Galaxias olidus. Linking the type-specimen with any known galaxias was only based on assumptions.
Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter 1

1
Galaxias ornatus from Cardinia Creek, the type-locality. Near identical to type-specimen of G. olidus.
2
Galaxias kayi from the Adelaide Hills, SA. Possibly synonymus with G. olidus.
3
Galaxias sp. from Dorrigo, NSW. A small member of the G. coxii complex, similar to type of G. olidus.
Galaxias olidus identity

Unless the type-locality becomes known, the identity of Galaxias olidus cannot be determined. Since the
taxon’s original discovery it possibly was not collected again and with the clearing of land the species may
have been eliminated soon after. As the Galaxias olidus name can not be linked to an existing form with
convidence, this taxon is treated here as a nomen dubium and only possibilities are presented here.
Gerard Krefft, curator in the Australian Museum, sent the type-specimen for identification to A. Günther,
British Museum, but a locality was not provided. Günther described it, giving fin rays: D. 11. A 13, P 14 and
colour: ‘Brownish red above, yellowish red below ; all the fins and the opercles with thick black dots ; a few
scattered similar dots on the side of the tail’. A photograph taken of the type by Tarmo Raadik showed that
the black dots were caused by trematode cysts. As the description could be applied to several species it is
impossible to determine the true identity. The suggested locality ?-Queensland appears to be solely based on
assumption, possibly because of Krefft’s fame of naming the Queensland Lungfish and providing samples to
England. At the time he had obtained galaxias from NSW, SA, and Victoria.
Based on original description, meristics, size of the Galaxias olidus type, and distribution of the trematode
cysts the closest match is G. ornatus from Cardinia Creek in Victoria (1 above). Morphometrics are the same
and it matches the infestations trematode cysts scattered over the body and being more numerous in the
basal parts of the fins. Some forms in the Yarra catchment are also very similar. A second specimen in the
jar with the type was not mentioned by Günther, but with the head decapitated it was probably excluded from
the description. Raadik identified the second specimen as G. brevipinnis (= G. coxii, see p. 3) which occurs
sympatric with all members of the G. ornatus-complex in the rivers discharging into Western Port or Port
Phillip Bay. If the specimens were collected together it would support the type-locality being near Melbourne.
2 Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter

Trematode cysts typically occur below 400 m altitude in exposed silty streams, usually deforested habitats in
which the fish seem susceptible, but none were found in any of the many high country galaxias to which the
‘olidus’ name has usually been applied. The size of the black dots varies depending on trematode species
and could play a role in determining the type-locality. Krefft had been to the region of SA collecting fishes
and the morphologically similar Galaxias kayi (2) from 5th Creek in the Adelaide Hills were also found to
have infections of matching black trematode cysts.
Alternatively the specimens in the jar belong to the same taxon that is one of several small members of the
Galaxias coxii complex occurring in northern NSW (3). The taxa typically have a dull dusky blotch above
the pectoral fin base and seems to be present in the G. olidus type-specimen. Günther did not mention any
barring or blotching, but it may have faded and body was probably plain reddish brown. Several small taxa
of the G. coxii complex were found in the Dorrigo region that are unnamed and similar to the type of G.
olidus in size, morphometrics and one taxon was found with a plain body colour. In Tasmania too, a species
(with black trematode cysts) was found in the Shannon River in which specimens collectively resembled both
the type of G. olidus and a member of the G. coxii complex.
Climbing Galaxias identity

Galaxias coxii was described from central New South Wales is the correct name for the taxon commonly
known as the Climbing Galaxias in Victoria. It is a member of a species-complex, which comprises at least
3 more unnamed taxa in northern New South Wales, one of which shown (3) plus several more in Tasmania.
In Victoria there is a single member of the complex with only some minor geographical variations. In The
Galaxiid Fishes of Australia by McDowall & Frankenberg, 1981, many taxa were incorrectly synonymised,
including the Climbing Galaxias Galaxias coxii with New Zealand’s G. brevipinnis. Much was based on the
sharing of a few selected characters regarded as diagnostic and ignoring differences. G. brevipinnis may be
closely related, but grows much larger, features a short lower jaw, and has a very different appearance (see
McDowall, 2000). In the same 1981 publication the authors erroneously synonymised many species under
G. olidus as a ‘catch all’, primarily based on a single pyloric caecum present as ‘this alone is good evidence’
in the linking to the type, whilst in the diagnosis their presence is as ‘very often’, and the one-line diagnosis
given of G. olidus would fit almost every Victorian non-diadromous galaxias species.
The Grouping by Drainages

Drainages of the Great Dividing Range discharge inland into the Murray River and into the sea on the east
and south coasts. The various non-diadromous species are grouped accordingly to the drainage regions in
separate sections in the book. The taxa are placed in order of the rivers next to each other as they are most
similar and presumed to be close relatives.
The east-coast drainages comprise rivers discharging into the Tasman Sea north from Wilsons Promontory,
including large rivers originating in the highlands, such as the Snowy River, that comprise multiple Galaxias
species, whilst the small rivers, such as Genoa river, has one presumed non-diadromous taxon. Each major
river has at least one endemic species in the forested upper tributaries
The south-coast drainages has rivers discharging into large coastal bays of Bass Strait and directly into the
Southern Ocean. Galaxias ornatus is the only non-diadromous taxa recognised. The south coast drainages
have several different species-complexes east and west from the Yarra catchment, especially in the Otway
ranges, which is being complicated by a number of clearly distinct species, that show no relationship with
any described taxa. The true G. ornatus from Cardinia Creek is a member of a small group with sibling
species in the neighbouring Bunyip River, discharging into Western Port, and in the Yarra River, discharging
into northern Port Phillip Bay. Several rivers discharge into the western side of Port Phillip Bay where the
non-diadromous species form different complexes, whilst those in rivers discharging directly into the ocean
to the west are also different. The large rivers comprising several far inland running arms may contain more
than one endemic species and in the Otway Ranges in one river two taxa were found sympatric, but this was
possibly because of unusual drought conditions.
In the process of analysing and photographing the species from the different river catchments since 1983,
many forms could not be identified and most appear to represent new species, especially when different ones
were found in the same creek or system. The presumed new taxa are presented as sp #, given a common
name or treated as a variation or affinity of a named species with locality added.
Rather than providing a key to the species, for which specimens in hand would be required, quick-guide
pages are presented in the appropriate sections in the book, showing the adult fish of the species in the
closely related groups. It makes comparison of the adults of the similar sibling species easier, and it has page
numbers to the species treatments.

Selected terminology used

Fin ray counts
Only segmented rays are included in the count. Rays with a joined base are counted as 1, usually
last ones in dorsal and anal fins. Procurrent rays are not included, as they are covered by thick skin,
usually difficult to count and of no use in this field guide. For the same reason, gill rakers, pores on
the head or comments on pyloric caeca are not included. Formula as used in scientific papers.
Dorsal fin (formula: D, 9)

2
3 Caudal fin (formula: C, 16)
1
2
1
2
Anal fin (formula: A, 11)
1 segmented rays. 2 procurrent rays. 3 last ray double on single base (counted as 1).
Climbing flanges on the pectoral fin. An unusual character of the Dargo Galaxias.
Caudal fin shapes in Galaxias

Left Truncate, with straight posterior margin and slightly rounded corners.
The segmented caudal fin rays are easily counted as 16.
Right Emarginate, posterior edge with rounded corners and slightly concave centrally.
The upper non-segmented procurrent rays are clearly visible.

Quick-guide to selected Galaxias species

Galaxias truttaceus
Dorsal fin origin above anal fin origin. Greenish
pale brown in colour, fins orange. Mouth relatively
small, reaching to below front of eye. Large adults
usually with many small round dark spots scattered
over sides and large dark spot above pectoral fin
base. Black line on upper lip and another at angle
from below eye. Usually in small groups, coastal
lakes and larger pools of streams. .................p 6
Galaxias coxii
Dorsal fin origin in front of anal fin origin. Stocky,
pale to reddish brown and fins brownish. Back and
sides with dark spots, often forming vertical lines.
A bluish dark blotch above pectoral fin base.
Mouth relatively small, reaching to below front of
eye. Schooling, coastal lakes and streams moving
well inland and able to climb vertical wet walls.
...................................................................p 9
Galaxias maculatus
Dorsal fin origin posterior to anal fin origin. Silvery
and greenish in colour. Front of head rounded.
Mouth relatively small. Large adults usually with
numerous small spots. Schooling, coastal lakes and
streams moving high upstream. ..................p 14
Galaxias rostratus
Dorsal fin origin just in front to anal fin origin.
Greenish, silvery ventrally from below head to
vent. Eye silvery. Head with low, flat upper profile,
pointed at front. Mouth moderately large. Large
adults with or without faint small spots along upper
sides. Schooling, billabongs, lakes and streams
connected to Murray River. ........................p 18
Galaxias sp. 1 ‘hinterland’

Dorsal fin origin in front of anal fin origin. Silvery
and greenish brown in colour with mottled dusky
spotting. Mouth relatively small, the lower jaw
longest. Schooling, southwest coastal streams,
sandy substrate with moderate flow. Moving well
inland in lowlands. ....................................p 20
Galaxias oliros
Dorsal fin origin just in front to of anal fin origin.
Greenish, silvery ventrally from below head to
vent. Snout long, jaws subequal. Eye small, silvery.
Large adults usually with faint to distinct small
angular elongated spots along upper sides.
Schooling, low elevation inland creeks connecting
to the Murray River. ...................................p 22
Galaxias terenasus
Dorsal fin origin in front of anal fin origin. Caudal
peduncle long. Mouth small, not reaching to below
front of eye. Eye large, 25% in HL. Colour pale
olive, back and upper sides with irregular dusky
blotches. Lateral line black. Eye and abdomen
white. Cann & Genoa River. ......................p 24
Galaxias arcanus
Dorsal fin origin in front of anal fin origin. Caudal
peduncle very long. Mouth overhung by snout and
of moderate size, reaching to below centre of eye.
Brownish grey in colour, back and upper sides
with irregular pattern of darker blotches. Upper
Mitta Mitta and Goulburn Rivers. ...............p 26

Spotted Galaxias Galaxias truttaceus

Galaxias truttaceus Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1846. Tasmania.
Description
A large stocky species, deeper bodied than most other Galaxias, rounded and profile slightly but evenly curved, head small
and broad with front rounded. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines. Median fins moderately large, dorsal and anal fins placed
well back, just behind vent, and rounded. Ventral fins placed posterior to midway of SL on abdomen. Dorsal fin origin above
anal fin origin, and usually has 9–11 rays. Anal fin larger with a moderately long base, posterior margin strongly rounded,
and has 12–15 rays, anterior rays longest. Pectoral fin large with 13–16 rays. Caudal fin emarginate to shallowly forked
with 16 principal soft and supported by additional procurrent rays running well up caudal peduncle.
Size
Length up to 200 mm TL, but usually 120–140 mm TL.
Colour
Post-larval stage is glass-like transparent and melanophores
form quickly once entering freshwater, usually starting on
head, along fin-bases and on lateral line where forming
black vertical bands with growth. During development
bands break up into spots and general body colour changes
from grey to greenish orange-brown. Back of large adults
usually with a golden sheen and orange on tip of snout.
Median fins vary from brown to red with black margins.
Whitebait stage about 45 mm TL Spotting very variable in patterns, in size and in numbers,
as can be seen in the images. Round spots usually with a
pale halo. A large single or double, but variable dark blotch
above pectoral fin base. Lips blackish and a black line from
below eye parallel to black line on upper lip.
Distribution and remarks

Widespread along Victoria’s south coast and ranging north
to about Lake Entrance. Also in the Bass Strait islands and
around Tasmania. Mainly in coastal drainages as it can not
handle steep elevations or low vertical barriers. It occurs in
rivers, lakes and small streams with pools or deep sections
in small groups. Usually hides during the day under logs or
in the shade of banks and bridges.
Adults live in freshwater, migrating downstream close to the
sea to spawn. Prey comprises mainly insects and these are
taken in the water column or from the surface. …
Galaxias truttaceus distribution in Victoria


Similar species
None in Victoria. Most similar to Galaxias auratus, but this occurs in Tasmania only.
Synonyms Galaxias ocellatus McCoy, 1867. Galaxias scopus Scott, 1936.
Other names used Spotted Mountain Trout, Trout Minnow.
Remarks
This is one of the few of the Galaxias species that is easily kept in a pond or a large aquarium and is a rather attractive fish.
They need space and water needs to be kept cool.
Galaxias truttaceus development of juvenile stages

Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula
Climbing Galaxias Galaxias coxii

Galaxias coxii Macleay, 1880. Mt. Wilson, Falls of Colo River, New South Wales.
Description
A large stocky species, back flattened, head broad and front rounded, jaws equal. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines. Median
fins of a moderately large size and placed well back. Ventral fins placed posterior to midway of SL on abdomen. Dorsal fin
origin from above (southern form) to well anterior (eastern form) to anal fin origin, posterior margin rounded, and usually
has 9–11 rays. Anal fin larger with longer base, posterior margin strongly rounded, and has 12–15 rays, anterior rays
longest. Pectoral fin large, round and placed low on body with 13–16 rays. Caudal fin emarginate to shallowly forked with
16 principal soft rays and supported by several procurrent rays running up caudal peduncle.
Size Whitebait stage about 45 mm TL Juvenile climbing vertical wall

Length up to 210 mm TL,
but usually 120–140 mm.
Colour
Post-larval stage glass-like.
After entering freshwater
melanophores form quickly,
starting on head and along
abdomen. Development of
dark bands, blotches or
spots with growth variable
in density, breaking up into
a vertical pattern of thinner lines or numerous small spots in large individuals or they
become plain with few markings. The general body of sub-adults usually turns a greyish
to orange-brown. Large adults may be more greenish grey and often have a bluish or
greenish sheen on sides. Median fins can be brown to red. A large more or less distinct
single bluish black blotch usually shows above pectoral fin base. …
Southwest coast form


Victoria’s coast, but travels far inland as it can easily handle tall steep barriers and can be found above surprisingly large
waterfalls. Also in South Australia and New South Wales north to about the Sydney region with several sibling species in
the Dorrigo region further north. Diadromous, usually migrates downstream close to the sea to spawn, but some land-locked
populations in the Licola mountain region. Adults cryptic in rocky substrates. normally hides during the day under logs or
swim in the shade of banks and bridges. Juveniles often seen along margins of rivers when migrating upstream in small
groups. The species travels far inland and juveniles were observed in Crooked river near Grant. Adults were seen in Rintoul
Creek, near Erica, in headwaters of the Latrobe River. A large land-locked population was known from lake Tali Karng, a
recently formed lake near Licola that is part of the Wellington River system, but trout were introduced many years ago and
no galaxias could be found in the lake since. Another set of streams in similar topography connecting to the Wellington River
run underground and has breeding adults in large pools in the mountains that are probably identical to those that once
occurred in the lake. Such populations are more or less landlocked and only large floods can give access to the river itself.
Breeding would take place in some of the larger pools and eggs or larvae maybe washed down to the river at some stage,
but may also develop in sections of the creek. Two females and two males were kept in an aquarium and readily spawned
in late June, producing hundreds of eggs scattered on the bottom among rocks, measuring 1.85–2 mm in diameter. The
colour of these land-locked fish was a more golden greenish brown (opposite page) compared to others seen, possibly caused
from being confined to the habitat over many years. They appear to be stocker as well, with a body depth at vent of about
15% SL versus to up to about 12% in coastal populations. Even though it is diadromous, the species has localised forms in
the various regions, indicating returning from their coastal marine stage to the river of birth. Galaxias brevipinnis the name
recently used in Australia belongs to a much larger New Zealand sibling, which has a distinctly short lower Jaw. In Australian
forms the jaw lengths are variable, but they are normally near
sub-equal, especially in the east-coast form (see opposite page).
Besides morphological differences between the two species the
colouration and markings lack any similarity.
Similar species
None in Victoria, but several in Tasmania and a number of
unnamed taxa in northern NSW.
Synonyms Galaxias nigothoruk.
Other names used Cox’s Mountain Galaxias, Short-finned
Galaxias coxii distribution in Victoria Galaxias or Broad-finned Galaxias and Galaxias brevipinnis.
Southern NSW form
infested with trematode cysts

southwest coast form

Galaxias nigothoruk form, Licola

large female and small male

Galaxias coxii development of juvenile stages
<< coastal
Upper Tarago River

Above from section above large dam. Very small, about same size as the
one to the left, but more stocky. Perhaps a non-diadromous form.
Dignams Cr, southern NSW Bunyip, western tributary
Forster Yalmy >>
Upper Tarago River

altitude 350 m

Inverloch
Raymond Creek, Yalmy

Upper Tarago River
Inverloch
Largest found, 210 mm TL

Common Galaxias Galaxias maculatus

Mesites maculatus Jenyns, 1842. Fresh water brook on Hardy Peninsula, Tierra del Fuego and Río Santa Cruz, Patagonia.
Description
Body long and tubular, head small and front rounded. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines. Median fins placed well back. Ventral
fins placed about midway of SL on abdomen. Dorsal fin positioned above anal fin, angular and rounded at tip, usually has
8–11 soft rays. Anal fin larger with longer base, angular with rounded tip and 12–17 soft rays, anterior rays longest. Their
origins posterior to near vent. Pectoral fin rounded with 12–14 rays. Caudal fin emarginate to truncate with 16 principal
rays and supported by additional procurrent rays in thick skin running well up caudal peduncle.
Size
Length up to 190 mm, but usually 100–120 mm TL.
Colour
Post-larval stage is glass-like transparent and melanophores
form quickly once entering freshwater, usually starting on head,
along fin-bases and on lateral line. General body colour with
growth development can be from grey to very green and large
adults are grey with olive or yellowish sides and silvery white
ventrally. The sides are usually speckled with small dusky to
black spots, sometimes forming a thinly barred pattern along
Whitebait stage about 35 mm TL lateral line. Eye is silvery and fins are translucent.
Widespread along the coastal zones of southern Australia, most common in the Bass Strait region and around Tasmania,
ranging as far north as southern Queensland. Also found at Lord Howe Island, New Zealand and southern America in the
coastal and island regions. This is one of the most naturally widespread freshwater fish, if representing a single species.
Adults live in freshwater, migrating downstream close to the sea to spawn. Eggs are laid on submerged vegetation during
very high spring tides and develop out of the water and the larvae are washed out to sea on the next high spring tide which
may occur some weeks later. Their pelagic larvae stage in the marine environment lasts for several months. The transparent
post-larval stage returns in large schools into estuaries during about Spring and such stages of several Galaxias spp are
known as whitebait. They move into streams in small groups, capable of handling very strong currents, and form schools as
they progress upstream. Settled in their habitat they swim in large schools in open water near the bottom or occupy areas
below overhanging banks or in shades from riparian growth. Unlike some galaxias, this species can not handle barriers such
as steep waterfalls or dam-walls. They are carnivorous and the diet comprises various small creatures, including insects, small
crustaceans, molluscs and other small animals. Prey is taken in
the water column and even from slightly above the surface.
Similar species Galaxias rostratus and G. sp 1.
Synonyms Galaxias attenuatus was the main synonym used
in Australian literature and may be valid. The make-up of pure
freshwater Galaxias spp on both sides of the Pacific, suggests
taxa of an ancient vicariance rather than the often stated
marine dispersal. Molecular work on both sides of the Pacific,
morphology and colour, suggest different taxa.
Other names used Jollytail, Common Jollytail, minnow,
spotted minnow.
Galaxias maculatus distribution in Victoria

Adults about 100–170 mm TL. Dignams Creek, southern NSW.
Adults about 120–130 mm TL. Ewens Ponds.

Juveniles about 40 & 50 mm TL
Juvenile about 50 mm TL
Adults about 130 & 150 mm TL

Subadults about 80–95 mm TL
Adult colour variations

Flathead Galaxias Galaxias rostratus

Galaxias rostratus Klunzinger, 1872. Murray River, South Australia.
Description
Body long and tubular, head small and flattened dorsally. Mouth of moderately large size, reaching to below eye. All fins
soft-rayed, lacking spines. Median fins placed well back, posterior to vent. Ventral fins placed about midway on abdomen.
Dorsal fin origin above vent and anterior to anal fin origin, angular to rounded with tip, usually with 8–10 rays. Anal fin with
longer base, angular with rounded tip and with 11–15 rays, anterior rays long and followed by progressively shortening rays,
posterior margin near vertical. Pectoral fin with 11–13 rays. Caudal fin emarginate with 16 principal soft rays and supported
by additional procurrent rays in thick skin running about halfway up caudal peduncle.
Size
Colour
Juveniles plain silvery, becoming more grey to greenish with
growth and usually greenish olive above with dusky speckled
over the back. Sides sometimes yellowish along lateral line. Eye
brightly white. Bright silvery on gills and lower side to vent. Fins
translucent lacking pigmentation.

Known only from the Murray Darling basin where once it was
widespread from South Australia to New South Wales and
Juvenile about 60 mm TL northern part of Victoria along the Murray River. It has a
patchy distribution, but used to be locally abundant in still and slow flowing waters. However, their numbers have declined
drastically in all areas. They have not been recorded from many places for many years and are considered locally extinct in
parts of the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Macquarie and Lachlan Rivers. These fishes can handle strong currents, but barriers
such as dams become obstacles which would contribute to their rapid decline as travelling through the entire river system
has become much more difficult. Movement in the system may be part of their behaviour during the spawning season. The
Murray Galaxias is a schooling species which occurs only at low elevations in streams, lakes, billabongs and the wetlands
that during floods are inundated. Records in Victoria well south from the Murray River may be based on the Obscure
Galaxias Galaxias oliros, that is generally very similar and was confused with it.
Carnivorous fishes and the diet comprises any small creature, including insects, small crustaceans, molluscs and other small
animals. Prey is taken in the water column and has been reported to leap from the surface to catch insects.
Similar species
Usually confused with Galaxias maculatus. Distinguished from
that species by its flattened head, longer mouth and dorsal fin
origin set anterior to anal fin origin. The Obscure Galaxias
Galaxias oliros is similar, but has a stockier body, rounded and
larger head, and dorsal fin origin set anterior to anal fin origin.
Synonyms
Galaxias planiceps Macleay, 1881.
Galaxias waitii Regan, 1906.
Other names used

Beaked Minnow, Murray Galaxias, Murray Jollytail,
Flathead Jollytail.
Galaxias rostratus distribution in Victoria


Glenelg basin >>

Cavendish area
Hinterland Galaxias Galaxias sp. 1
Description
Body long and tubular, but usually thickening centrally in large individuals. Head small and rounded, with back following nape
rising slightly by 2 short ridges in large adults, mouth moderately large, angled, reaching to below front-edge of eye. Snout
short, jaws sub-equal. All fins soft-rayed, median fins placed well back. Ventral fins small, placed posteriorly to midway in
total length. Dorsal fin rounded, usually with 8–9 rays, its origin above vent, and anal fin origin variably posterior to dorsal
fin origin with longer base and long rays, well rounded, and with 10–13 rays. The pectoral fins strongly rounded, paddle
shaped, with 13–14 rays. The caudal fin weakly emarginate in juveniles and truncate in large adults, with 16 principal soft
ray, well supported by additional procurrent rays in thick skin running about halfway up caudal peduncle.
Mt Emu Cr., Beaufort >> Size
about 35 mm TL Length up to 120 mm, but usually 90–110 mm TL.
Colour
Juveniles plain silvery, becoming more grey to greenish with
growth and greenish olive above with dusky speckled over the
back and sides. Midlateral spots forming indistinct dusky line.
Sides sometimes yellowish below lateral line. Eye and underside
from head to vent white. Gills silvery. Fins translucent lacking
Approx 70 mm TL pigmentation, sometimes yellowish in large adults.
Hopkins and Glenelg River catchments and Portland regions.
Near Portland it was found sympatric with Galaxias maculatus
in Darlot Creek, both common about 10 km from the sea (as
well as far upstream), where they were were infected with
trematode cysts showing as small black spots scattered all over.
Mainly has a coastal distribution and silvery young suggests that
Wannon R, Grampians, about 50 & 70 mm TL
it may be diadromous or migrates to breeing sites within the
river catchments. A schooling river species often found in
sandy streams, congregating near barriers, as it is unable to
handle small vertical obstacles and crosses only during higher
water levels, traveling far inland in the lowlands. Was found up
to 350 m altitude in the Grampians in the upper tributaries of
the slow rising Wannon River. In Cawker Creek it is parapatric
with the more cryptic Galaxias sp. 8.
Similar species
Usually confused with Galaxias maculatus in southwestern
Victoria. Best distinguished from that in being stockier and by
the dorsal fin origin, which is in front of the anal fin origin that
are at level in G. maculatus. It may have been misidentified as
Galaxias rostratus, G. olidus and G. oliros, causing some
erroneous records.
Synonyms None.
Other names used Obscure Galaxias.
Galaxias sp. 1 distribution in Victoria

1-Galaxias Fishes 1-29_Galaxias Fishes 1-29 4/07/18 10:58 AM Page 21
Above Adults from Hewett Creek, Glenelg basin near Cavendish. Lengths approximately 100 mm TL.
Above Jimmy Creek, Wannon River basin, Grampians at 350 m altitude. Length approximately 100 mm TL.
Above Stokes River, Digby, Glenelg River basin. Slender river form. Length approximately 90 mm TL.
Below Darlot Creek, Tyrendarra. Length about 100 mm TL. Coastal, about 10 km from the sea.

Clunes area
Loddon River basin
Avoca, type-locality
Obscure Galaxias Galaxias oliros
Galaxias oliros Raadik, 2014. Avoca River, Mount Lonarch, Victoria.
Description
Body long and tubular, slightly thickening centrally in large individuals. Head small, mouth of moderately large size, only just
reaching to below front-edge of eye. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines. Median fins of moderate size and placed well back.
Ventral fins placed posteriorly to midway on abdomen. Dorsal fin origin above vent, angular to slightly rounded, and usual-
Juvenile about 60 mm TL ly with 8–9 rays. Anal fin origin only slightly posterior to dorsal fin
origin with longer base, rounded, and with 10–13 rays. Pectoral
fin strongly rounded with 13–14 rays. Caudal fin with 16 principal
soft rays and well supported by additional procurrent rays in thick
skin running about halfway up caudal peduncle.
Size
Colour
Juveniles plain pale brownish to silvery, becoming more grey to
greenish with growth and dusky olive above with dusky speckles
over the back and sides. Sides sometimes yellowish below lateral
line. Eye and underside from head to vent plain. Gills covered with
reflective silvery blotch.
Northern Victoria, in Murray River tributaries ranging east in
Broken River. A schooling species in sandy streams, often found
near barriers as it is unable to handle small vertical obstacles and
crosses only during higher water levels. This species was confused
with Galaxias rostratus and many records of this species may be
incorrect. Records from southwestern Victoria represent G. sp. 1.
Similar species. Galaxias rostratus has a more pointed head
and larger mouth and was misidentified in many locations as such,
especially where not close to the Murray River. Also reported as
G. olidus, causing many erroneous records of both.
Synonyms None.
Other names used Hinterland Galaxias.
Galaxias oliros distribution in Victoria

Murray tributary
Clunes area
Loddon River basin
Seven Creeks basin

Baddaginnie
Broken River basin

Roundsnout Galaxias Galaxias terenasus

Galaxias terenasus Raadik, 2014. Bombala, New South Wales.
Description
Body long and tubular in young and thickening centrally in adults. Head small, snout rounded, mouth small, not reaching to
below front-edge of eye. Eye moderately large, diameter about 25% HL, proportionally largest in juveniles and smallest in
the larger adults. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines. Median fins moderately large and placed well back. Ventral fins small
and rounded, placed about midway of standard length. Dorsal fin origin above vent and slightly anterior to anal fin origin,
rounded, usually with 9–10 rays. Anal fin with much longer base, rounded, and usually with 10–12 rays. Pectoral fin small
and rounded with 12–14 rays. Caudal fin truncate to shallow emarginate with 16 principal rays, supported by additional
procurrent rays running in thick skin from the outer rays to about halfway up caudal peduncle.
Size
A small species, length up to 80 mm, but usually 60–70 mm TL.
Colour
Pale dusky-olive with darker dusky blotches and whitish abdominally with numerous small black dots. Juveniles plain whitish
cream, abdominal section white that becomes dusted with tiny dusky specks. Rest of body very variable with faint dusky
blotches that become more grey to blackish with growth, forming a dense pattern over the back and down most of sides to
ventral region. Lateral line usually shows as a distinct thin black line. Eye brightly white, juveniles with a short yellowish dash
angling away from behind eye. Gills with a reflective silver dash and under side from head to vent white. Fins translucent
lacking pigmentation, or slightly yellowish.

Known in Victoria from tributaries in the wilderness of the
upper regions of the Genoa River and the Cann River. The
similarity to the post-whitebait stage of the diadromous
Galaxias coxii in morphology and its median fin arrangement
suggests it to be a migratory species that may travel up the river
itself as small juveniles. Many juveniles were infested with
trematode cysts which also suggested that they have travelled
up from deforested areas downstream or from the less pristine
waters in the areas of Mallacoota Inlet. As this species occurs
in different rivers it may still be diadromous or it was so not a
long time ago.
Similar species
Easily confused with juveniles of Galaxias coxii in which the
dorsal and anal fin origins are placed at similar positions, but
C. coxii has larger fins, especially the pectorals and ventrals.
Juvenile G. coxii have a more tubular body, less rounded head
and lateral line is not as distinct as it is shown in the Genoa
Galaxias as a thin black line. Adults could be confused with
juveniles of some members of the mountain galaxias group.
Synonyms
None.
Other names used
Galaxias terenasus distribution in Victoria Genoa Galaxias.


Riffle Galaxias Galaxias arcanus

Galaxias arcanus Raadik, 2014. Staceys Bridge, Victoria.
Description
Body long, flattened ventrally and caudal peduncle long. Head small, flattened dorsally, mouth near horizontal, overhung by
snout, reaching to below eye. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines. Median fins placed well back, posterior and near vertical to
juvenile from type-locality
vent. Ventral fins moderately large, placed about midway of SL
on abdomen. Dorsal fin origin above vent and well anterior to
anal fin origin, rounded, usually with 8–10 soft rays. Anal fin
with longer base, rounded, and with 10–12 soft rays. Pectoral
fin set very low with 13–14 rays, spreading horizontally.
Caudal fin truncate to emarginate with 16 principal soft rays
and supported by additional procurrent rays running about
partly up caudal peduncle. Caudal peduncle long with clear gap
between reach of anal fin and procurrent caudal fin rays.
Size
Colour
Juveniles yellowish brown with variable pattern from spots to
large blackish blotches forming an irregular banded pattern.
Becoming more brown with growth and spots breaking up.
Adults dusky above, pattern comprising irregular blotching over
the back and sides. Body whitish ventrally. Fins pale brownish
or yellowish, semi-translucent.

Known from very few sites in the inland drainages of the Great
Dividing Range, from the Goulburn River to the Mitta Mitta
River regions. Rarely seen or collected, probably due to its
unusually secretive behaviour. Unusual member of the genus in
laying on the substrate, perched on its ventral and pectoral fins
amongst rocks in the riffle sections of fast running streams.
Sympatric with Gadopsis bispinosa at some localities.
Similar species
At first glance this species could be confused with members of
the mountain-galaxias complex, but it is readily distinguished by
the low set and near horizontal mouth, head shape and long
caudal peduncle
Synonyms
None.
Other names used
None.
Galaxias arcanus distribution in Victoria

adult from type-locality

1-Galaxias Fishes 1-29_Galaxias Fishes 1-29 15/06/18 10:22 AM Page 28
Galaxias group 1 – inland drainage

Inland drainages of the Great Dividing Range
With the exception of the endorheic Wimmera River, originating in the Grampians, all others draining the inland side of the
Great Dividing Range discharge into the Murray River in Victoria. There are many distinct galaxias forms based on colour
and morphology that were lumped under Galaxias olidus Günther, 1866, by McDowall & Frankenberg, 1981, and Raadik,
2014, but none of the many members can be linked to this taxon.
Most highland forms are generally reddish or yellowish brown with dark blotches or short bars mid-laterally, dorsally dusky
and with less distinct spots or blotches. Few are spotted on the head. Body tubular, usually elongated, with dorsal fin origin
clearly anterior to anal fin origin. Some densely spotted alpine forms are very slender in which the dorsal fin origin is most
clearly anterior to the anal fin origin of most taxa. There are multiple endemic species in Victoria that occur only in the
upper tributaries of different rivers that originate on the various large alpine tableland and are restricted by the cold habitat
limitations. Historically the ancestral species would have occurred in the rivers at lower altitudes in the cool periods and were
driven high into the headwaters of the basins as the climate warmed since the last ice-age, dividing species into allopatric
populations that gradually adapted to the environmental changes. The origin of different rivers may geographically be very
close to each other in the same high mountains, separated by a only narrow ridge whilst never meet, and in many of the
uppermost tributaries distinct galaxias taxa may be present.
At lower altitudes the rocky forest streams comprise many different siblings that were forced to adapt to the environmental
changes and are of undetermined taxonomic levels, ranging from localised variations to valid species. Isolation is caused by
natural barriers, including temperatures, and may have caused many localised forms in the various populations of drainages
from the foothills. The taxa may differ to various degrees genetically, but are distinct in their morphology and colour, and
many seem to represent valid species, but at high altitudes the alpine taxa appear to be more specific. Most species attain
about 10–11 cm in total length, but some from the Broken River and Ovens River catchments can reach 14 cm.
Galaxias fuscus
Dorsal fin origin distinctly in front of anal fin origin.
Yellow-orange to orange. Mouth relatively large at
steep angle, reaching to below eye. Adults usually
with several black blotches mid-laterally on front
half of body (further back in some populations).
Uppermost forested tributaries in the Goulburn
and Yea River basins . ................................p 30
Galaxias sp. 2 ‘Many-bar’

Dorsal fin long, almost as long as anal fin. Anal fin
origin about midway below dorsal fin base.
Brownish, dusky over back, grading to orange-
brown below. Series of black narrow vertical bars
evenly spaced mid-laterally along sides to about
dorsal fin. Woodspoint region. ...................p 32
Various forms occur at moderate altitudes of the

Ovens and Goulburn Rivers that appear to be a
complex of closely related taxa, perhaps on levels
from localised variations to subspecific, but it may
contain valid species too. The variations shown on
the left probably represent different species, the
upper is from the Goulburn River catchment and
the lower from the Ovens River catchment.
Galaxias sp. 3 ‘Cobberas’

Dorsal fin origin well in front of anal fin origin.
Front of head bluntly rounded. Body pale yellowish
brown with dusky blotches on back and sides. Fins
translucent, pale yellowish. Usually a distinct series
of blackish blotches mid-laterally. Upper Murray
high country. ............................................p 36

Galaxias sp. 4 ‘Mitta Mitta’

Anal fin long, origin below centre of dorsal fin
base. Head rounded dorsally. Body tubular, stocky.
Brownish grey, dusky spots on back and bars on
side, some black centrally near head. Fins grey,
semi-translucent. Forest-rocky tributaries of the
Mitta Mitta, Anglers Rest area. ...................p 38
Galaxias sp. 5 ‘Ovens’

Head flattened dorsally. Stocky and grows large
(14 cm TL}. Brownish, dusky spots on back and
side, series of darker rounded spots mid-laterally
above abdomen. Fins yellowish brown. Anal fin
origin below centre of dorsal fin base. Whitfield,
Ovens River basin. ....................................p 40
Galaxias sp. 5A ‘Mount Buffalo’

Dorsal fin origin in front of anal fin origin. Deep
caudal peduncle. Stocky and grows large (12 cm
TL}. Reddish brown, series of dusky to blach bars
midlaterally. Fins yellowish brown. Anal fin origin
anterior to below centre of dorsal fin base. Mount
Buffalo Plateau. ........................................p 42
Galaxias sp. 6 ‘Bogong’

Usually very dark looking with many blackish spots
and blotches, including top of head and on cheek
(usually not in other forms) and lower sides. Fins
partly pigmented near their base. Bogong High
Plains, Rocky Valley Creek, several streams of the
upper Kiewa River. ...................................p 44
Various forms occur in the many streams of the

various Bogong High plain valleys, ranging from
stocky to very slender. Based on morphology and
colouration they appear to be a mix of different
origins. Very slender form with long tail and anal
fin origin set below end of dorsal fin base may have
originated via man-made channels from the Mitta
Mitta headwaters where similar forms were found.
Some taxa are distinctly spotted on the head and
others have spots on the body only. Different
forms may have become sympatric and may
hybridise, but if different species the offspring
would be infertile and effect populations badly.
Galaxias sp. 7 ‘Morass’

Stocky, flattened on head. Dorsal fin origin just in
front of anal fin origin. Yellowish grey above with
dusky vermiculations, black mid-lateral botches
forming line, and white to yellowish below. Caudal
truncate to emarginate. Floodplains Benambra,
marshland habitat, the run-offs as small usually
slow flowing turbit-water streams discharging into
the Mitta Mitta River basin. ........................p 48

2-Galaxiidae 30-51_2-Galaxiidae 30-51 15/06/18 12:24 PM Page 30
Goulburn tributary
Barred Galaxias Galaxias fuscus
Galaxias fuscus Mack, 1936. Rubicon River, Victoria, Australia.
Description
Body long, tubular and stocky. Head small, slightly longer than body depth, rounded, mouth at moderately steep angle,
large, reaching to below middle of eye. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and strongly rounded. Median fins placed well back,
anal fin origin posterior to vent and dorsal fin origin anteriorly to above vent. Ventral fins of moderate size, placed well back
from midway on abdomen, its origin at about midway of standard length. Dorsal fin origin distinctly anterior to the anal fin
origin, and usually with 9–11 rays. Anal fin with longer base and with 10–12 rays. Pectoral fin set low with 14–16 rays.
Caudal fin truncate to emarginate with rounded corners, 16 principal rays and additional procurrent rays providing support
to the fin by the thick skin flanges running from the outer rays to partly up caudal peduncle.
Size
Colour
Juveniles pale yellowish brown with or without faint dark
blotches, changing gradually to bright orange with growth.
Adults usually with a series of several (usually 4) large bluish
black, vertically-oval blotches. Some individuals may have less
spots, rarely none and it may differ between sides. The fins in
juveniles translucent, changing to brownish or yellowish with
growth, sometimes showing little colour.

Known only from the uppermost reaches of the Goulburn
River system inaccessible to salmonids. Because of latter, now
restricted to shallow very cold-water streams at high altitudes of
about 600–1000 m and in remote forest habitats. Populations
may comprise all stages from tiny fry to large adults. Spawning
is usually in early Spring. Populations are usually clean from
trematode cysts, but fish were infested at about 650 m altitude
in a Toolangi site in 2018 after a logging coupe in the region,
where they were clean 5 years before (shown opposite page).
Similar species
Orange-brown forms of the Many-bar Galaxias can look very
similar, but usually have more spots along their sides, and also
have a smaller, less angular mouth. Several other undetermined
Galaxias taxa occur in the same catchments at lower altitudes.
Synonyms
None. This species was wrongly synonymised with Galaxias
olidus in McDowall & Frankenberg, 1981.
Other names used Brown Jollytail.
Galaxias fuscus distribution in Victoria

Goulburn tributary >>>>
Rubicon tributary (type-locality) Yea tributary gravid female (eggs visible)
Rubicon tributary (type-locality)

Toolangi, 650 m altitude

Many-bar Galaxias Galaxias sp. 2

Undetermined taxon collected by Tarmo Raadik from Raspberry Creek near Woodspoint and Steavenson River near
Marysville, the Goulburn River catchment. Parapatric with Galaxias fuscus. Head small and rounded, mouth reaches to
below front of eye and anal fin origin below centre of dorsal fin. Pale brownish to orange, dusky dorsally, usually with a
series of black narrow vertical barring mid-laterally. Variable in number of bars, rarely none and it may differ on one side
from the other, and some have spots over the back. Length up to 100 mm, usually 70–80 mm TL.

Bright Galaxias Galaxias sp. 2A

Undetermined taxon collected by Tarmo Raadik from a Buckland River tributary near Bright of the Ovens River system. One
of a complex of similar taxa with distinctive barred or blotched patterns mid-laterally. Head small and rounded, mouth only
reaches to below front of eye and anal-fin origin anterior to below centre of dorsal fin. Pale cream to brownish ventrally,
dusky on sides and dorsally with glittering pinkish streaks mid-dorsally from head to dorsal fin and posteriorly on sides and
usually with a mid-lateral series of black vertically-elongated black blotches. Length up to about 100 mm TL.

Yea >>>
Goulburn Galaxias Galaxias spp

The numerous streams in the foothills of the vast catchment
of the Goulburn River system, are home for many forms of
inland drainage galaxias, that are an unresolved complex of
localised or subspecific taxa. Members are restricted to small
streams not yet invaded by salmonids at low altitudes up to
about 500 m in altitude. Some of the them have distinctive
features, but if this may relate to habitats or localised forms by
isolation in being parapatric is not known. Galaxias fuscus
and G. sp. 2 also occur in the same general system.
Flowerdale >>

Merton >>
Lima Galaxias Galaxias sp.

Only few specimens seen in two different eastern streams of the Broken River system at about 300 m altitude. A large taxon
and attains at least 12 cm in total length. Looks very similar to the Ovens Galaxias sp 5 which occurs in similar habitat and
the same altitude and may be conspecific. The rivers flow into the Murray River in close vicinity to each other.

Cobberas >>>>
Cobberas Galaxias Galaxias sp. 3

Description
Body long, slender as juvenile, tubular and thickening in large adults. Head of moderate size in juveniles, length almost 2x
body depth, but small in adult, length slightly longer than body depth, broadly rounded on snout, mouth at moderately steep
angle, large, reaching to below front of eye and jaws sub-equal. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and rounded. Median fins
placed well back, anal fin origin posteriorly close to vent and dorsal fin origin well anteriorly from above vent. Ventral fins
much smaller with shorter rays than anal fin, very rounded, placed posteriorly to midway on abdomen, its origin at midway
of total length. Dorsal fin origin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin, and usually with 8–9 rays. Anal fin with much longer
base, and with 10–11 rays. Pectoral fin set low, its base near
horizontal and with 10–11 rays, fin spreading horizontally.
Caudal fin slightly emarginate to truncate with 16 principal rays
and additional procurrent rays providing support to the fin by
the thick, but low skin flanges running from about halfway on
the outer rays to partly up caudal peduncle.
Size
A small species in the mountain-galaxias group. Length up to
100 mm, but usually 70–80 mm TL.
Colour
Juveniles pale yellowish brown with or without faint dark
blotches, darkening with growth. Adults pale-brown, usually
with dusky spots on back and blotches along sides, often with
a series of 5 to 6 black, vertically narrow bars along lateral line
above front half of abdomen. No spotting on head, but body
patterns very variable from many black spots to dusky barring.
The fins in juveniles translucent, changing to yellowish with
growth. Lower part of the body usually plain yellowish brown.

Known only from the uppermost reaches of tributaries to the
Murray River system in the high country inaccessible to
salmonids. Occurs in small shallow streams coming from alpine
bogs from the Cobberas running into Limestone Creek, the top
of the upper Murray River. This species is part of a complex of
closely related siblings in northeastern Victoria.
Similar species
Members of the galaxias taxa-complex that occur in drainages
to the upper Murray River. This taxon is small, without spotting
on the head. Anal-fin origin set below centre of dorsal-fin.
Synonyms None.
Other names used None.


Mitta Mitta Galaxias Galaxias sp. 4

Description
Body long, slender to moderately stocky from juvenile to adult respectively, thickening slightly centrally, its depth about
6.5–8 times in total length. Head length about 5–6.5 times in total length in juvenile to adult respectively, tapering down ,
broadly rounded on snout, mouth at moderately steep angle, large, reaching to below centre of eye. Eye small, about 7 times
in head length. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and rounded. Median fins placed well back, anal fin origin slightly back
from vent, whilst dorsal fin origin well anteriorly from above vent. Ventral fins placed well posteriorly to midway on
abdomen, its origin midway of total length. Dorsal fin origin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin and usually with 8–9 rays.
Anal fin with similar length base and with 10–11 rays, longest much longer than ventral fins. Pectoral fin set low with 14–15
rays, its base at angle to near horizontal. Caudal fin shallowly emarginate in juvenile and usually similarily when adult. Fin
has 16 principal soft rays and additional procurrent rays providing support to the fin by the thick skin flanges running from
about halfway on the outer rays to partly up caudal peduncle.
Size
Colour
Dusky brown, darkest dorsally, shading to plain greyish brown
on abdomen. Dusky blotches over back and forming irregular
barring on sides, some black barring midlaterally above
abdomen in few individuals. Head plain without spotting. Fins
plain, semi-translucent grey to yellowish or brownish.

Western tributaries of the Mitta Mitta River in forested habitats
at about 900 m altitude near Anglers Rest. Small juveniles were
seen swimming in loose groups in the shallows during the day
and large adults were also seen openly swimming about in
some of the larger pools nearby.
Similar species
Other members of the mountain-galaxias group, especially the
species that occur in the inland drainage of the Great Dividing
Range in northeastern Victoria. Closely related to sp 3, but
grows considerably larger and has a blotched pattern instead of
being spotted dorsally. Very similar to the Cobberas Galaxias
on the previous pages which has a more spotted back.
Synonyms None.


Whitfield >>>>
Ovens Galaxias Galaxias sp. 5

Description
Body long, tubular and stocky, thickening in large adults. Head small, its length similar to body depth in sub-adults, bluntly
rounded on snout and flattened on top. Mouth at moderately oblique, large, reaching to below front of eye, and upper jaw
protruding. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and rounded. Median fins placed well back, anal fin origin posteriorly close to
vent and dorsal fin origin well anteriorly to above vent. Ventral fins of moderate size, placed well back from midway on
abdomen, its origin at midway of total length. Dorsal fin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin, usually with 8–9 rays. Anal fin
with longer base, and with 11–13 rays. Pectoral fin set low with 11–12 rays. Caudal fin slightly emarginate to truncate with
16 principal rays and additional procurrent rays providing support to the fin by the thick skin flanges running from the outer
rays to about midway up caudal peduncle.
Size
One of the largest forms in the mountain galaxias group.
Colour
Juveniles pale brown with or without faint dark blotches or
black spots, yellowish ventrally, gradually changing with growth
and blotches breaking up into numerous spots. Adults with a
series of many black spots along upper sides and vertically-oval
spots along lateral line. Ventrally plain, usually yellowish brown
to orange. Colour patterns variable from many densely set
black spots to dusky small blotches forming indistinct vertical
bars. The fins in juveniles translucent, changing to brownish or
yellowish with growth. Ventral part of the body and lower sides
from below head to above anal fin usually plain whitish cream
to bright yellowish orange.

Known only from the King River and Ovens River basins at
about 300 m altitude and occur in small tributaries to that are
not invaded by salmonids. Mainly known from foothills in the
Whitfield region where small schools were observed in the pool
sections of streams.
Similar species
Other members of the mountain galaxias group, but this
species can grow rather large and usually is distinct by the
densely pattern of spots on back, and has a barred pattern on
lateral line from head to above ventral fin.
Synonyms
None.
Other names used
None.
Galaxias sp 5. distribution in Victoria


Mount Buffalo Galaxias Galaxias sp. 5A

High altitude taxon of the Galaxias sp. 5 species-complex from the
Ovens River catchment. Distinct from its close siblings in colouration
and morphometrics. Body brown to red-brown, dusky above, with
dark blotches mid-laterally. Head short and broad, flattened dorsally
in adults, mouth reaches to below front of eye. Anal fin large, origin
anterior to below centre of dorsal fin (usually more posterior in high
altitude taxa). Pectoral fin with 15–16 branched rays. Ventral fin set
midway in body length (SL). Juveniles plain pale brownish grey up to
40 mm long, developing dusky blotches midlaterally with growth.
Largest individual measured 11 cm TL. Found abundant at 1500 m
altitude in narrow stream originating at about 1570 m. Fast flowing
into a valley, disappearing underground some 100 m downstream. It
resurfaces about 500 m (straight line) away in the next valley which
has a network of streams contaminated with the brown trout Salmo
trutta. The underground sections form barriers for the predatory
exotics and protects the galaxias fishes from elimination. Few streams
safe from trout are left on the Mount Buffalo plateau, the tributaries
of different rivers that are part of the Ovens River system.
Running Jump Creek at 1500 m altitude


Bogong Galaxias Galaxias sp. 6

Description
Body long, slender to very slender at all stages, tubular, its depth about 7–8 times in total length. Head small, its length about
6 times in total length, flattened above, broadly rounded on snout, mouth at moderately steep angle, large, reaching to below
front of eye. Eye small, about one-seventh of head length. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and rounded. Median fins placed
well back, anal fin origin posteriorly and slightly back from vent, whilst dorsal fin origin well anteriorly from above vent.
Ventral fins of a moderately large size, placed posteriorly to midway on abdomen, its origin anteriorly to midway of total
length. Dorsal fin origin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin and usually with 8–9 rays. Anal fin with longer base and with
10–11 rays. Pectoral fin set low with 10–11 rays, its base at
angle to near horizontal. Caudal fin shallowly emarginate in
juvenile and usually truncate as adult. Fin has 16 principal soft
rays and additional procurrent rays providing support to the fin
by the thick skin flanges running from about halfway on the
outer rays to partly up caudal peduncle.
Size
Colour
Juveniles pale yellowish brown to dusky with faint to blackish
blotches on back and upper sides from top of head to caudal
peduncle, fins plainly translucent. Adults dark grey to brownish
orange and become densely spotted or blotched with growth.
Very variable in colour between different streams. Individuals in
dark habitats have black over most of the body, including head,
abdomen and basal parts of fins. Blotches usually most dense
dorsally and on sides often forming irregular barred patterns.
Fins semi-translucent and yellowish. Gills with silver reflective
plate coverage in some populations.

Known only from the upper most small streams on the Bogong
High Plains at 1700 m altitude, which eventually run into the
Kiewa River. Several forms were found in the different streams,
possibly localised variations, but the very slender form may
have originated from the Mitta Mitta system via man-made
channels. This taxon appears to be absent or vanished from the
systems further downstream due to the presence of the exotic
predatory salmonid fishes or is non-migratory.
Similar species
Other members of the mountain-galaxias group, but this
species is distinctive in being slender to very slender. Of the
many different colour variations some are uniquely spotted
over most of the head and basally on fins.
Synonyms None.
Galaxias sp. 6 distribution in Victoria Other names used None.


Slender forms, no spots on cheeks

Pretty Valley >>>>

Bogong High Plains, Rocky Valley, upper Kiewa River
Gibbo River, Mitta Mitta eastern arm

Benambra plain
Morass Galaxias Galaxias sp. 7

Description
Body long, slender to moderately stocky from juvenile to adult respectively, thickening centrally, its depth about 7–8 times
in total length. Head small, its length about 6 times in total length, flattened above, broadly rounded on snout, mouth at
moderately steep angle, large, reaching to below centre of eye. Eye moderately small, about one-seventh of head length and
one-third in its height, set mid-laterally. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and rounded. Median fins placed well back, anal
fin origin posteriorly and slightly back from vent, whilst dorsal fin origin well anteriorly from above vent. Ventral fins of a
moderately large size, placed well posteriorly to midway on abdomen, its origin slightly anteriorly to midway of total length.
Dorsal fin origin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin and usually with 8–9 rays. Anal fin with longer base and with 10–11
rays. Pectoral fin set low with 13–14 rays, its base at angle to near horizontal. Caudal fin shallowly emarginate in juveniles
and usually truncate as large adults, with 16 principal soft rays and additional procurrent rays providing support to the fin
by the thick but low skin flanges running from about halfway on the outer rays to partly up caudal peduncle.
Size
Largest measured 86 mm TL.
Colour
Back and upper side dusky yellowish with near-black vermiculated markings in sub-adults the break into spot in fully grown
individuals, black blotches mid-laterally, posteriorly forming black-lined sections of variable length, a complete line in some
individuals with a reflective silvery white line directly below. White below lateral line with longitudinal dusky or yellow band
on abdomen. The largest adults were most densely spotted from the markings breaking up, but the general colouration was
retained. Fins semi-translucent and yellowish or brownish. Gills covered by reflective silvery plate. Front of snout with dusky
blotch around nostrils. Few trematode cysts were present in some individuals, causing white spots scattered in body and fins.
Occurs near Benambra in the flood plains region, which is only
inundated during heavy rain periods. Fish were found at about
700 m altitude and the run-offs from the area to the Mitta Mitta
River connect at less than 500 m. The flat open land habitat is
unusual for a mountain-galaxias member, being very exposed,
and prior to converting the area to farmland it seems not much
has changed, other than few draining channels and small dams.
The streams have a mixture of muddy and rocky substrates and
banks with sparse bush and long grass riparian growth. Based
on historical photographs it was a vast area of marshland and
trees were only on higher grounds and surrounding forested hill
sides. During rain periods the water is turbid with almost zero
visibility. The fish were found far from bushlands and forest
habitats under submerged long overhanging grasses. Streams
were checked in the adjacent forested hillsides that connect to
the flood plains and others that flow in to the Mitta Mitta at
lower latitudes, but no fish were found. Trout were not seen in
the creek with the galaxias, but ‘good trout fishing’ is reported
from the Mitta Mitta, Gibbo River and Morass Creek.
Similar species
Morphology of this taxon is similar to other members of the
inland mountain-galaxias group, but the colour pattern with its
black longitudinal midlateral line formed by spots is unusual.
Synonyms None.


gravid female
male


Morass Creek, Benambra

3-Galaxiidae 52-83_Galaxiidae 52-83 14/06/18 6:58 PM Page 52
Galaxias group 2 – south-coast drainage

Coastal drainages of the Great Dividing Range and lowland forms
The galaxias that occur in the southern drainages west from Wilsons Promontory into the Bass Strait region and southern
ocean differ considerably in their morphology and colour patterns from the east coast and inland drainage forms. Divided
by the Yarra Valley, there are several distinctly different species-complexes found east and west from Melbourne living in
rocky bushland streams, whilst the far-western Victorian regions comprise a separate complex in low elevation regions. The
only named species Galaxias ornatus from Cardinia Creek has become very rare and many taxa treated under this name
as local variations are either subspecific or unnamed species. As a G. ornatus species-complex they appear to be restricted
to the Bunyip and Cardinia Rivers that discharge into Western Port, with many variations in the large catchment of the Yarra
River that discharges into the northern part of Port Phillip Bay. The true G. ornatus is most similar to the type-specimen
and the original description of G. olidus, but it can not be linked due to the unknown type-locality.
In rivers to the west of Melbourne, there are further distinct species-complexes, 1/ distributed over the Maribyrnong,
Werribee and Barwon Rivers that discharge into the western side of Port Phillip Bay that contain an undetermined number
of taxa, none of which that can be linked to any described species. In the deforested sections, tributaries rarely flow and lay
dry for many years and recent searches failed finding any galaxias. 2/ rivers in the Otways that drain directly into the ocean
contain an unknown number of distinct forms, in colour and morphometrics. 3/ in the south western region, lowlands with
muddy creeks, some running into the Glenelg River and others endorheic with low flow to inland lakes or Wimmera River.
The galaxias in each catchment differ in colour patterns and morphometrics. Taxa from the Otway Ranges lumped with G.
ornatus by Raadik, 2014 need to be re-examined, including a distinct undescribed taxon (sp. 10) with a large head and short
caudal peduncle from the Otways’ Gellibrand River basin, which discharges into the southern ocean.
Galaxias ornatus
Stocky, short-headed taxon. Dorsal fin origin in
front of anal fin origin. Dark yellowish brown,
dusky above with numerous irregular vertical lines.
Caudal fin truncate to emarginate, stronly rounded
tips, and a proportionally deep caudal-peduncle.
Bushland foothills from upper Cardinia. Usually
infested with trematode cysts, causing numerous
black spots in fins. ....................................p 54
Galaxias aff. ornatus ‘Bunyip western’

A small species, 70 mm TL, stocky, body deepens
centrally. Head small with rounded dorsal profile.
Dorsal-fin origin in front of anal-fin origin. Pale
brownish grey with dark, near black blotches
spaced over back and sides, white below. Ventral
fins large, caudal fin slightly emarginate. Western
tributaries of the Bunyip River. ...................p 56
Galaxias aff. ornatus ‘Bunyip eastern’

Moderately large stocky taxon. Dorsal fin origin
slightly in front of anal fin origin. Brownish above
with dark-dusky blotches, forming vertical bands
mid-laterally on sides, pale below. Head small,
snout rounded. Caudal fin truncate to emarginate.
Eastern tributaries of the Bunyip River. .......p 58
Galaxias aff. ornatus ‘Tarago’

Similar, but slimmer taxon. Dorsal fin origin well in
front of anal fin origin. Dusky-brown, near-black
blotches on back and sides, often forming vertical
bands midlaterally, pale below. Head rounded, but
flattened on top in large individuals. Caudal fin
truncate to slightly emarginate. Headwaters of the
Tarago River. ............................................p 60
Galaxias aff. ornatus ‘Yarra’
Stocky species. Dorsal fin origin in front of anal fin
origin. Brownish with dark-dusky blotches, often
forming vertical bands. Head somewhat flattened
on top, especially in large individuals. Caudal fin
truncate to emarginate. Widespread in tributaries
of the Yarra River basin. ............................p 62

Galaxias sp. Maribyrnong

Stocky species, body thickened centrally. Brown to
greenish grey with a dense pattern of small dusky
spots sides silvery and abdomen with a pattern of
many tiny dots. Dorsal fin origin slightly in front of
anal fin origin. Eye white. A lowland taxon from
the Maribyrnong River basin. .....................p 66
Galaxias sp. Lerderderg

Slender species, some adults a little stocky, usually
elongated, body tubular. Plain dusky-brown with a
pattern of indistinct dusky blotched midlaterally
along body. Dorsal fin origin well in advance of
anal fin origin. Eye yellowish. A foothills taxon
from the Werribee River basin. ..................p 68
Galaxias sp. Barwon-1

Slender species, body tubular. Head short with
rounded profile. Plain dusky-brown or with some
indistinct darker blotching. Usually infested with
trematode cysts that show as black spots. Fins
rounded. Dorsal fin origin well in front of anal fin
origin. Eye whitish brown. .........................p 70
Galaxias sp. Barwon-2

Sympatric with above taxon in the same streams,
but smaller, to about 70 mm TL and stockier, and
thickened centrally anterior to ventral fins. Mouth
small, not quite reaching below eye. Yellowish grey
with dusky irregular blotches. Usually with very few
trematode cysts. .......................................p 72
Galaxias sp. 10 ‘Otways’

Stocky, big-headed species. Dorsal fin origin well
in front of anal fin origin. Brownish with scribbling
patterns, some with short vertical irregular bars on
sides. Head large, rounded on top, eye large. Anal
fin short-based, similar to dorsal fin base. Caudal
peduncle short. Otways foothills, in the Gellibrand
River headwaters. .....................................p 74
Galaxias sp. 8 ‘Cawker’

Dark dusky-brown, bluish shine, with numerous
spots and blotches, some forming vertical barring.
Median fins strongly rounded, dorsal fin large, anal
fin well back and caudal fin truncate to slightly
emarginate. Far western Victoria, Glenelg. Occurs
in muddy slow flowing streams, cryptic. ......p 76
Parapatric with sp. 1 that school in open water.
Galaxias sp. 9 ‘Langkoop’

Dark dusky-brown, with numerous dusky spots and
blotches, some forming irregular vertical barring.
Median fins small, strongly rounded, anal fin well
back and caudal fin truncate to slightly emarginate.
Far western Victoria, schooling in muddy slow
flowing streams. ........................................p 77

small black spots caused by trematode cysts (body and fins)

Cardinia Galaxias Galaxias ornatus
Galaxias ornatus Castelnau, 1873. Cardinia Creek, Victoria.
Description
Body long, tubular and stocky. Head small, its length equal or shorter than body depth in adults, snout short and broadly
rounded; mouth of a moderately large size, reaching to below front half of eye, at angle, upper part in front of eye. All fins
soft-rayed, lacking spines and strongly rounded. Median fins moderately large, placed well back; anal fin origin below about
centre of dorsal fin and origin of latter anteriorly to above vent. Ventral fins much smaller than anal fin and rounded, placed
about midway of standard length. The dorsal fin origin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin, rounded, and with 9–11 rays.
Anal fin with longer base, rounded and usually with 11–12 rays. Pectoral fin set low with 10–11 rays. Caudal fin truncate
to emarginate with 16 principal soft rays, supported by a series of additional procurrent rays running as elevated extended
sections of thick skin flanges from outer rays to about halfway on a deep caudal peduncle, very thick in large adults.
Size Length up of type-form 80–100 mm TL. Some sibling
taxa attain up to 115 mm.
Colour
Juveniles pale greyish to brown with dusky blotches over back
and sides, markings darkening with age. Adults usually brown
with a mixture of dark blotches over back, top of head and
sides, usually forming irregular vertical narrow lines or bars
over most of anterior half of body when fully grown. Eye white
to yellowish. Fins semi-translucent in small juveniles, changing
to pale brownish or yellowish during growth, and dusky on
outer two-thirds. In silty habitats often with numerous tiny black
spots caused by trematode cysts infections, randomly scattered
all over, causing the fins to look almost black.

Represents a complex of localised forms or species. The true
form is restricted to small streams in the headwaters of the
Cardinia Creek system, running through private properties
Cardinia Creek
above the reservoir. Affiliated taxa occur in the Bunyip and
Tarago River catchment that all drain in to Western Port. Due
to land clearing the exposed habitats are susceptible to drought
and the habitats in the region are in very poor condition from
suburbanisation, especially the type area. In exposed habitats
fish are often infested with trematode cysts, that show as black
spots scattered over the body and fins. Populations that were
Bessie Creek free of these trematode cysts were only found of affiliated taxa
in the forested and well shaded creeks of the Bunyip & Tarago
River basins. Populations of all members of the taxa-complex
occur sympatric with Galaxias coxii and G. maculatus. E.g. in
Bunyip’s Diamond Creek at 190 m and with G. coxii in the
Tarago River above reservoir at 350 m altitude.
Similar species
Running through mostly private and cleared land, the Various species collectively known as mountain galaxias.
creeks are polluted and have very little riparian coverage. Synonyms Possibly represents the true Galaxias olidus.
The galaxias are saturated by trematode cycst and the Other names used Ornate Mountain Trout.
species is almost unrecognisable.

<<< Cardinia Creek type-form

220 m altitude
<< Menzies Creek taxon

320 m altitude

Bunyip River basin taxon >>

Western Arm at 190 m altitude
Diamond Galaxias Galaxias aff. ornatus ‘Bunyip Western’
Several different taxa were found in the Bunyip River basin, which suggest speciation from being allopatric for a long time
from an evolutionary perspective and adapting to conditions. This small taxon was found in the western arm tributaries of
Diamond Creek with gravid females being largest at about 70 mm SL. Appears to be a close relative of Galaxias ornatus,
but has larger ventral fins, is deeper bodied with an evenly curved outline and the blotching pattern is unique. The streams
were muddy, but well shaded by thick riparian vegetation with broad swamp sections that appear to keep trout out. A group
of large trout, about 40 cm long, were seen swimming in the main creek. Freshwater mussels were commonly present in
the few open soft bottom sections. Trematode cysts were few, showing as black spots scattered over the body and fins of
some individuals. Other fish taxa found in Diamond Creek tributaries were Nannoperca australis, Gadopsis gracilis (few
adults and lots of juveniles), Galaxias coxii and G. maculatus. The habitats in the region are in poor condition due to the
land clearing, properties with dams and suburbanisation nearby. No fish were found in the more northerly Back Creek, but
it has a greatly reduced flow from the presence of several large dams and access to the tributaries is limited.
Juvenile, about 30 mm TL
Gravid female
about 60 mm TL
Gravid female
about 70 mm TL


Bunyip River basin taxon >>>>>

Eastern arm at 200 m altitude
Bunyip Galaxias Galaxias aff. ornatus ‘Bunyip Eastern’
A large taxon was found in an easter arm, a tributary to Ryson Creek. Largest individual measured 115 mm TL. Similar to
the true form of Galaxias ornatus in having a small rounded head, being short snouted and in fin positions. Colour patterns
variable, but spots or bars very dark, near black. This taxon is spotted on the head, which is uncommon in the comparable
galaxias members. Ventrally pale, but not white as in the western taxon and median fins more angular.


Tarago River taxon >>>
Tarago Galaxias Galaxias aff. ornatus ‘Tarago’

The Tarago River and Bunyip River join far downstream, but some of their head waters come very close geographically. In
morphology this taxon seems most similar to Galaxias aff. ornatus from the Yarra River, but has a larger head and longer
snout in relation to eye size. The largest individuals seen were just over 100 mm TL and small juveniles co-occurred, which
suggests no migration takes place in relation to spawning. At the site the fish was common and sympatric with G. coxii,
which occurred also in large numbers. All individuals checked were healthy and only some individuals had a small number
of trematode cysts in the body and fins. The river was several metres in width and shallow with water running over rocks
and gravelly sand. It was well shaded from riparian vegetation as shown on in the image on opposite page. Of the various
G. aff. ornatus populations, this one occurred at the highest altitude at approximately 350 m.

upper Tarago River

altitude 350 m

Gembrook >>>>>
Yarra Galaxias Galaxias aff. ornatus ‘Yarra’

Complex of colour variations or subspecific taxa
As a complex it occurs widespread throughout the large Yarra
River basin from low altitudes of about 100 m to 250 m. Various
localised forms occur in the Healesville, Lilydale and Gembrook
to Noojee regions. Populations usually found cryptic in the upper
tributaries heavily shaded by riparian growth with sandy or rocky
substrates, but many streams run through cleared land. Often
badly infested with trematode cysts, possibly from being in
streams that run through the cleared land. A smallish taxon,
length up to 90 mm, but usually fully grown at 70–80 mm TL.
In the southern tributaries they are generally plain pale brownish
and marked with dusky blotches, white or pale brownish below.
In the northern tributaries usually very distinctly marked with a
mixture of large blackish blotches over back head and sides with
irregular vertical narrow to broad barring down to about level of
abdomen. Fins in juveniles translucent, changing with growth to
pale yellowish or reddish brown. Appears to be a close relative
of Galaxias ornatus from Cardinia Creek. In Badger Creek it
was found sympatric with G. coxii.
Gravid female, 90 mm TL
(eggs visible)

<< Gembrook
<<< Hansen Creek, Launching Place

Chums Creek, Healesville >>>
very similar to type specimen of Galaxias olidus
Lilydale

<<< Badger Creek, Healesville
Lilydale

Maribyrnong Galaxias Galaxias sp. ‘Maribyrnong’

Known from the Maribyrnong River basin which drains into Port Phillip
Bay. Found in sandy and muddy small creeks running through cleared
land where cryptic under overhanging banks or logs. The upper reaches
of catchment are in cleared, farmed land, susceptible to drought. Creeks
had completely dried up in 2016. Many of the populations have vanished
in recent years and it may take several wet seasons for some to recover
if there are survivors in the main river or other water bodies. In the kind
of habitat where this taxon is found, trematode cysts are usually prolific
in galaxias taxa, but were not present in this species. Length to 90 mm.


Lerderderg Galaxias Galaxias sp. ‘lerderderg’

This Galaxias taxon is plain brownish or with indistinct dusky blotches that break up with age as fine reticulations over the
back and upper sides, abdomen dusky brown. It has a silvery gill cover as seen in several other species. Dorsal and anal fins
moderately large, but have low ray counts: D. 8 and A. 9. Largest individual was 90 mm TL. The Lerderderg State Forest
was very dry early in 2016 and in the upper reaches the Lerderderg River was reduced to series of pools and few of the
clean rocky pools at about 480 m altitude had galaxias in them. Most individuals were slender which was probably caused
from overcrowding and lack of food. Rain had just started and with the forecast of good rain for Winter and Spring, the fish
may re-establish throughout the system. Hopefully the drying up in the system reduced the trout numbers. The river runs
into the Werribee River, which discharges into Port Phillip Bay. The upper Werribee tributaries were totally dry.


Brown Barwon Galaxias Galaxias sp. ‘barwon-1’

Tributaries of the Barwon River, originating in the Otway Ranges near Forrest at about 350 m altitudes, contain 2 galaxias
taxa, distinguished by their underlaying colouring of brown or grey. The brown taxon grows largest, reaching at least 100
mm TL and has a blunt rounded head. Anal-fin origin is well back from dorsal-fin origin. In several creeks the brown and
grey forms were found together at 300 m altitude, of which the grey one occurred in somewhat silty pools. In another creek
at about 250 m altitude Brown Trout and Redfin were present in the deeper large pools that probably had moved up from
Lake Elizabeth, and of the dusky taxon only a few were found in the shallows. Of the brown species most juveniles and adults
were badly infested with two types of trematode cysts, showing as black and white dots, which suggest being migratory or
the taxon is more susceptible. The dusky species had generally very few cysts present, even where collected together with
the brown one, and is assumed to be non-migratory. Counted rays from images: D. 9, A. 10–11. and P. 12.
juvenile, 30 mm TL


male above, female below

Dusky Barwon Galaxias Galaxias sp. ‘barwon-2’
An apparently small taxon, with mature adults up to 70 mm long, found in several forest tributaries of the Barwon River in
the Otways near Forrest. The streams are in narrow steep gullies of tall timber bushland with the banks covered by thick
riparian vegetation dominated by ferns. At about 300 m altitude the substrate is mostly rocky, whilst in sections at about
200 m with a slow descent have silty and gravelly substrates, with many pools created by blockages of accumulated sticks
and leaves. Some adult specimens were collected in stagnant pools of tributaries. Sympatric with a larger brown congener
from which it is distinguished by the greyish colour and stockier body shape, gradually deepening from behind the head with
the deepest part midway to the ventral fins. The anal-fin origin is not as far back to the dorsal-fin origin, it has relatively
large eyes and a small mouth, which reaches just below the front edge of eye. The dusky and brown taxa were found to be
sympatric, but seem to have different habitat preferences as adults of the brown species were only found in the uppermost
reaches of streams with minimal flow during the visit prior to Autumn rain.
juvenile

3-Galaxiidae 52-83_Galaxiidae 52-83 11/06/18 9:28 AM Page 73
adult ‘dusky’ with juvenile ‘brown’

Otways Galaxias Galaxias sp. 10

Description
Body long, tubular and stocky, thickening slightly centrally with age. Head moderately long (22–24% SL), rounded, snout
short; mouth reaching to below front-half of eye, at angle, upper part in front of top of eye. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines
and broadly rounded. Median fins of a moderately large size, placed well back; anal fin origin under centre of dorsal fin and
origin of latter anteriorly to above vent. Ventral fins of moderate size, placed well back from midway of SL on abdomen.
Dorsal fin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin, usually with 9–10 rays. Anal fin with similar length base and with 10–11 rays,
its origin below front half of dorsal fin. Pectoral fin set very low with 11–13 rays. Caudal fin emarginate with 16 principal
rays, supported by additional procurrent rays running in thick skin and moderately large flanges from outer rays to partly up
caudal peduncle.
Size
Colour
Juveniles pale semi-transparent plain greyish to brownish.
Markings darkening with age and large adults usually with
irregular scribbling pattern over the back and sides. Spots
forming laterally and enlarged along lateral line, some as
short bars and usually in region below the dorsal fin and
caudal peduncle. Dark blotch on top of head. Ventrally
plain, pale yellowish brown, some with numerous tiny
darks spots over abdominal region. Colour of eye yellow
to brown, similar to body colour. Fins clear to yellowish in
juveniles, changing to reddish brown in adults.
A variable taxon known from the Otway Ranges in the
headwaters of the Gellibrand River. Occurs in sandy and
rocky substrate habitats. Usually shallow in the uppermost
sections of small creeks running in steep gullies shaded by
tree-ferns and thick vegetation. This species seems to be
considerably different from the species to the east, but it
shown similarities in the colour patterns to sp. 8 & 9 from
the western region. The short body is like some species in
the foothills on the east coast drainages, but these have a
much smaller head.
Similar species
This taxon is unusual among the non-diadromous galaxias
groups in morphology in having a relatively large head, its
length equal or greater than distance from anal-fin origin
to hypural. In the other species it usually is considerably
shorter. It also has a relatively short based anal fin and a
low number of rays.
Synonyms None.


Cawker Galaxias Galaxias sp. 8

Description
Body very long, elongate tubular. Distinct lateral line, running straight and centrally along sides. Head of moderate size, its
length longer than body depth, front broadly rounded, snout short; mouth large, reaching to below anterior half of eye, at
angle, upper part in front of eye. Jaws subequal, lower sometimes projection slightly. Eye of moderately large size, about
20% in HL. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and, except caudal fin, rounded. Median fins relatively large, placed well back.
Anal fin origin slightly posterior to vent and about below centre of dorsal fin base. Dorsal fin origin well anteriorly to above
vent. Ventral fins of moderate size, placed posteriorly or about midway of standard length. Dorsal fin large and top very
rounded, situated distinctly anterior to anal fin origin, and usually with 9–10 rays. Anal fin large, longest ray as long as
longest caudal fin ray, with longer base than dorsal fin, and with 11–12 rays. Pectoral fin set very low with 11–12 rays,
broad and strongly rounded. Caudal fin large, truncate when adult and only slightly emarginate when young, its corners only
little rounded at tips. Fin with 16 principal rays and supported by several additional procurrent rays running in thick skin
flanges from outer rays to partly up caudal peduncle.
Size
Length up to about 110 mm TL.
Colour
Generally brownish dusky with blue shine, dusky on top, and
pale below. Upper and sides with irregular pattern of mixed
barring and blotches, barring mainly mid-laterally. Lower part
of abdomen plain whitish. Fins transparent.

Known only from western tributaries of the Glenelg River.
Several found, cryptic under banks with a muddy substrates in
low elevated streams where it occurs sympatric with Galaxiella
toourtkoourt, whilst Galaxias sp. 1 occurs well downstream in
the larger and more open parts of the creek near the river.
Similar species
None, but may be confused with various species collectively
known as mountain galaxias, but this species has large median
fins and long tubular body with a relatively long head and adult
with truncate caudal fin. Parapatric with Hinterland Galaxias
sp 1 found further downstream in open habitats, which differs
in having a smaller and more tapered head and anal fin origin
not distinctly posterior from dorsal fin origin.
Synonyms None.
Galaxias sp. 8 distribution in Victoria Other names used None.

Langkoop Galaxias Galaxias sp. 9

Description
Body long, elongate tubular, thickening somewhat centrally with age. Lateral line runs slightly curved and above center on
sides, parallel to contour of back, down to along center of caudal peduncle. Head small, its length about equal to body depth,
snout short and broadly rounded; mouth large, reaching to below posterior half of eye, at angle, upper part to level of top
of eye. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and rounded. Median fins rather small, rounded and placed well back. Origin of
anal fin under centre of dorsal fin and origin of latter anteriorly to above vent. Ventral fins of moderate size, but smaller than
anal fin, placed midway of standard length. Dorsal fin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin, usually with 8–9 rays. Anal fin
with longer base and with 9–10 rays. Pectoral fin set low with 11–12 rays. Caudal fin truncate to slightly emarginate with
16 principal rays, supported by additional procurrent rays in thick skin flanges from outer rays partly up caudal peduncle.
Size
Colour
Generally brownish, dusky on top, and pale below. Upper and sides with irregular pattern of blotches, small and fine on top
and larger on sides, with some joining into short curving vertical lines along lateral line. Lower part of abdomen plain whitish.
Fins pale brownish or yellowish.

In Victoria known only from the low laying (100 m) Mosquito Creek near
Langkoop that runs into Bool Lagoon, South Australia. It occurred as a
large school under main-road bridge in 1985. A slow moving creek with
deep holes and steep banks. Sympatric with two species of pygmy
perch, Nannoperca australis & N. obscura, and the small gudgeon
Hypseleotris klunzingeri. Habitat very vulnerable being open country
and water used for farming. Not seen again at the locality a few years
after a prolonged drought during two well separated visits.
Similar species
None, as this taxon has a distinct morphology and small median fins.
Synonyms None.

Galaxias group 3 – east-coast drainage

Eastern drainages of the Great Dividing Range and lowland taxa
Various populations of the mountain-galaxias complex in the east-coast drainages differ considerably in their morphology
and colour patterns from south coast and inland forms. Each of the major rivers may have unique taxa, comprising more
than one species divided between different arms, but each of which is restricted to their headwaters. In the wilderness areas
there are inaccessable tributaries that are at this stage unexplored and can be expected to contain additional taxa.
Populations in the coastal drainages in eastern Victoria differ considerably in their form from all other ‘mountain’ galaxias
in both their colour patterns and morphology. They are generally small, rarely growing larger than 100 mm in total length.
Their body colouration is usually dull grey or dusky brownish, darkest over the back and gradually changes over the sides to
a paler and usually plain underside. Patterns are irregular and variable, but they usually are dull, dusky or brownish and rarely
nearly black, as commonly seen in the south coast and inland forms, as well as having different morphological characters.
Some of the forms were found having the unusual ability to bend their head more sideways than in other species. Median
fins of a moderately large size, origin of dorsal fin is usually only slightly anterior to origin of anal fin. Pectoral fins have on
average 14 versus 12 rays in most of the south coast and inland species.
The species of this complex live in vulnerable habitats threatened by clearfell logging and some species live on the highland
plains where brumbies and cattle causes damage in bogs and creek habitats, whilst their waste products badly effect water
quality and cause the prolific growth of filamentous algae or aquatic plants, clogging habitats.
Galaxias sp. 11 ‘Nunniong’

Dorsal fin origin well advanced to anal fin origin.
Fins translucent yellowish. Pale dusky brown with
darker greyish blotches, some forming indistinct
bars extending to below lateral line. In sides a
broad reflective band just below lateral line. Tambo
River – occurs on Nunniong Plains in mud bottom
tributaries at high altitude up to 1300 m and the
forested parts of the Little River tributaries above
500 m. Two types of trematode cysts were present
in the lower altitude form. .........................p 80
Galaxias mcdowalli
Medium fins small and rounded. Dorsal fin origin
slightly anterior to anal fin origin. Dark greenish
brown with black vermiculations on upper half of
body and pale along abdominal region. Snowy
River taxon at moderately high altitudes. Eastern
coastal drainage. .......................................p 84
Galaxias longifundus
Dusky on back and pale brownish yellow on sides.
Irregular markings of spots and blotches, some in
a series of larges darker spots and dusky blotches
midlaterally on sides. Fins clear to translucent
brownish or yellowish. East coast, foothills of West
Gippsland, Latrobe River tributary.
................................................................p 86

Galaxias lanceolatus
Dusky on back and yellowish on sides. Irregular
markings of spots and blotches, some forming a
somewhat-chevron pattern on sides. Fins bluish
grey semi-translucent. East coast, foothills of West
Gippsland, Thompson River. ......................p 88
Galaxias sp. 12 ‘Tarwin’

Dusky above, pale below. Irregular markings of
spots and blotches, often forming bars pattern
midlaterally on posterior half of sides. Body tubular
and elongate, head very small with low profile.
Headwaters Tarwin River. ..........................p 90
Galaxias gunaikurnai
Dusky on back and brownish on sides. Irregular
markings of spots and blotches, some forming a
somewhat chevron pattern midlaterally on sides.
Fins slightly brownish to translucent. Highlands of
West Gippsland, Macalister River. ...............p 94
Galaxias mungadhan var. ‘Dargo Plains’

Adults dark brown with blackish blotches and bars,
pigmented to lowers sides, juveniles paler and
whitish ventrally. Upper part of pectoral fin with
climbing flanges on rays in adults. Dargo High
Plains, above the snowline. ........................p 96
Galaxias mungadhan var. ‘Dargo River’

Variation of the above. A somewhat stockier form
from lower altitudes, which occurs downstream in
the same river arm. It has identical colouration and
shares the unusual climbing flanges on the pectoral
fin rays in adults. Upper Dargo River, just below
the snowline. ............................................p 98
Galaxias aequipinnis
Pale brownish above with dusky back, dense dusky
markings on uppers sides with darkest blotches or
spots along lateral line. Abdominal region whitish
with tiny dusky dots and some barring. Eyes pale,
whitish. Low altitude, Arte River. .............p 100

Nunniong Plains form >>>
Nunniong Galaxias Galaxias sp. 11

Description
Body long, elongate tubular, deepening somewhat centrally and becoming stocky as adult. Lateral line straight, running
about centrally on sides with numerous distinct small pores. Head small, its length about equal to body depth or slightly
longer in small individuals, front broadly rounded, snout short; mouth moderately large, just reaching to below anterior edge
of eye, slightly oblique to near horizontal, upper part below level of centre of eye. Eye small, its diameter less than snout
length when adult. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and strongly rounded. Median fins of a moderately large size, placed
well back. Anal fin origin slightly posterior to below centre of dorsal fin base and origin of dorsal fin well anteriorly to above
vent. Ventral fins fairly small, length about half of greatest body depth, placed anteriorly to midway of total length. Dorsal
fin well anterior to anal fin origin and top strongly rounded, usually with 8–9 rays. Anal fin larger long-rayed and strongly
rounded, and usually with 9–10 rays. Pectoral fin set low at small angle when spread, its base near horizontal, with 14–15
rays. Caudal fin truncate with 16 principal rays and supported by additional procurrent rays running in thick skin flanges
from outer rays to partly up caudal peduncle, ventrally reaching close to anal fin base.
Size
Colour
Generally pale greyish brown, dusky on top, and pale below. Large
dusky blotches on back and sides, some forming indistinct irregular
bands extending to just below lateral line. Abdominal area plain
whitish cream to brownish. Eyes pale yellowish to whitish with dusky
speckles. An indistinct silvery dash on operculum and adults with
broad reflective band below the lateral line. Fins dusky or yellowish.
Small juveniles somewhat translucent with internal pinkish silvery
band, running from operculum to vent.
This species was first found in very small streams on the Nunniong
Plains of the uppermost Tambo River’s eastern arm. The habitats of
the plains are vulnerable and threatened by cattle and brumbies,
causing habitat damage and stream pollution. On the Nunniong
Plains the small streams join the deeper fast flowing Tambo River
arm, which probably has Brown Trout present. The galaxias were
found in the tributaries at an altitude of about 1200 m and most
were juvenile. Fish at this altitude were free of trematode cysts, even
though the substrate was muddy. The cysts are usually present at low
altitudes and two different kinds occurred in another population of
this taxon found in a tributary of Little River which flows into the
Tambo River at an altitude of 540 m (see following pages).
Similar species
None of the species collectively known as mountain galaxias, but
rather stocky and in shape a large adult may look similar to Galaxias
longifundus and G. aequipinnis.
Synonyms None
Other names used Tambo Galaxias.

27.12.13
01.03.14
At 85 mm TL and over 2 years old.
Same individual in dated images.
02.05.16

Ensay, Little River form >>>
Nunniong Galaxias Galaxias sp. 11 var. Ensay

Many tributaries of the Tambo River were checked for galaxias, but with the lack of natural barriers, most streams were
infested with brown trout. Few galaxias were present south of Nunniong in some of the tributaries of Little River, which runs
into the Tambo River near Ensay. Tributaries are mainly in forest habitats, but Little River flows through farmland to the
Tambo and fish near the cleared areas were infected with white and black trematode cysts. Streams in the forested habitats
were completely free of them. The altitude of the forest margin was about 540 m and the fish looked very similar to the
ones found at 1200 m altitude, but at the lower altitudes were more slender. Such differences can be attributed to the faster
flowing streams in the foothills. The largest specimens seen at various altitudes were about 85 mm in total length.

Below-left Small forest stream near Ensay at 540 m altitude, about 1 km upstream from cleared land.
Below-right On the Nunniong Plain at 1200 m. Cattle graze on the plains and brumbies are common in the region.

McDowall’s Galaxias Galaxias mcdowalli

Galaxias mcdowalli Raadik, 2014. Waratah Flat, Snowy River National Park, Victoria.
Description
Body long, elongate tubular, thickening centrally with age. Lateral line almost straight, running about central on sides. Head
of a rather moderate size, its length slightly longer than body depth, snout moderately long and front broadly rounded; mouth
large, reaching to below posterior half of eye, at angle, upper part to level of top of eye. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines
and rounded. Median fins moderately large, placed well back; anal fin origin under centre of dorsal fin and origin of latter
anteriorly to above vent. Ventral fins strongly rounded, of moderately large size, placed anteriorly to midway of standard
length. Dorsal fin large and distinctly positioned anterior to anal fin origin, usually with 9–11 rays. Anal fin smallish with a
similar length base to dorsal fin, and with 11–12 rays. Pectoral fin set low with 14–16 rays. Caudal fin slightly emarginate
to truncate with 16 principal rays and supported by additional procurrent rays running in thick skin flanges from outer rays
to partly up caudal peduncle.
Size
Colour
Generally brownish, dusky on top, dark blotch on top of head, and
pale yellowish brown ventrally. Upper and sides with irregular pattern
of numerous small spots to eye-size blotches, some joining into short
curving vertical lines mid-laterally. Lower part of abdomen plain
whitish. Fins semi-translucent, yellowish.

In Victoria this species is known only from eastern tributaries to the
Snowy River in the Waratah Flat region at an altitude of about 700 m.
It was present in good numbers in early 2016.
Similar species
Various species collectively known as mountain galaxias. As an adult
this species is somewhat unusual in having a relatively short-rayed anal
fin, similar in height and base-length to dorsal fin.
Synonyms None
Galaxias mcdowalli distribution in Victoria

Roger River, type-locality site

West Gippsland Galaxias Galaxias longifundus

Galaxias longifundus Raadik, 2014. Tyers, Victoria.
Description
Body long, elongate tubular, thickening somewhat centrally with age. Lateral line above center on sides and down to along
center of caudal peduncle, evenly curved, running parallel with profile of back. Head small, its length about equal to body
depth, front broadly rounded, snout short; mouth large, reaching to below anterior edge of eye, at angle, upper part to level
of top of eye. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and strongly rounded. Median fins moderately large, placed well back. Anal
fin origin under centre of dorsal fin base and origin of dorsal fin well anteriorly to above vent. Ventral fins of moderate size,
placed about midway of standard length. Dorsal fin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin, usually with 9–11 rays, rounded at
tip. Anal fin with longer rays, rounded at tip,
and with 10–11 rays. Pectoral fin set very
low, base near horizontal, with 13–15 rays.
Caudal fin emarginate with 16 principal
rays and supported by additional procurrent
rays running in thick skin flanges from outer
rays to partly up caudal peduncle.
Size
Colour
Generally pale brownish, dusky on top, and
pale below. Upper are of the body with an
irregular pattern of dusky blotches, and
sides with darker blotches or black spots
along lateral line. Eye yellowish white and a
silvery dash on operculum. Abdominal area
whitish, peppered with tiny dusky dots. Fins
semi-translucent and yellowish.

In Victoria known from one small northern
tributary of the Latrobe River basin near
Rawson, but habitats are mostly destroyed
by clearing and logging, causing exposure
and silting up of streams. Few specimens were found in 2002
and 2012, but also some much larger Galaxias coxii. Similar to
G. coxii the ventral fins are placed low and it may also be a
migratory species in the system that can climb rocky elevations
that is a barrier for salmonids. Loss of habitat is the cause of this
species to be one of the most critically endangered.
Similar species
Various species collectively known as mountain galaxias, but
most similar to Galaxias aequipinnis and G. gunaikurnai.
Synonyms None.
Galaxias longifundus distribution in Victoria Other names used Latrobe Galaxias, Rintoul Galaxias.


Tapered Galaxias Galaxias lanceolatus

Galaxias lanceolatus Raadik, 2014. Seaton, Victoria.
Description
Body long, elongate tubular, slightly thickening centrally with age. Lateral line straight, centrally on sides. Head small, its
length 20% longer or equal to body depth, upper flattened over interorbital to snout, front of snout broadly rounded; mouth
large, reaching to below anterior edge of eye, at moderate angle, upper part at level of center of eye-front. Fins soft-rayed,
lacking spines and strongly rounded. Median fins of a moderately large size and placed well back. Anal fin origin about below
centre of dorsal fin base and origin of dorsal fin placed well anteriorly to above vent. Ventral fins of moderate size and placed
about midway of standard length to somewhat posteriorly to it. Dorsal fin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin, usually with
10–11 rays, rounded at tip. Anal fin with slightly longer rays, rounded at tip, and with 10–12 rays. Pectoral fin set very low,
its base near horizontal, with 14–16 rays. Caudal fin emarginate with 16 principal rays and strongly supported by additional
procurrent rays running in thick skin flanges from outer rays to partly up caudal peduncle.
Size
Length up to about 100 mm, usually 80–90 mm TL.
Colour
Generally pale brownish grey, darkest on top, and pale
below. Upper are of the body with an irregular pattern of
indistinct dusky blotches, sides with darker blotches or black
spots along lateral line, and usually several chevron bars. Eye
white, an indistinct pale yellowish dash angling away from
behind eye. A silvery dash or blotch indistinct on operculum.
Abdominal area pale yellowish. Fins semi-translucent and
bluish grey to yellowish.

In Victoria known only from the small northern tributaries of
the Thompson River in rocky substrate streams. Most other
streams in the region which used to be the galaxias habitats
now contain trout.
Similar species
Various species collectively known as mountain galaxias and
a similar species in the headwaters of the Tarwin. The latter,
an unnamed species Galaxias sp 12, is apparently its closest
sibling. It’s next apparent close sibling Galaxias gunaikurnai
occurs the Macalister River, which joins the Thompson River
at a very low altitude. The main difference between the
forms is in the head shape, rounded in G. gunaikurnai and
flattened dorsally in G. lanceolatus, especially when juvenile,
as clearly shows in the images on the left.
Synonyms None.
Other names used Thompson Galaxias.
Galaxias lanceolatus distribution in Victoria


3-Galaxiidae 84-110_Galaxiidae 84-110 23/05/18 8:40 AM Page 90
Mt. Worth >>>>

altitude 300 m
Tarwin Galaxias Galaxias sp. 12
Description
Body long, tubular and slender in small adults, thickening only slightly with age. Head small and rounded, length similar to
body depth, but broad with flattened interorbital; mouth moderately large, reaching to below front-edge of eye, at very slight
angle, upper part to below lower edge of eye. Snout overhangs mouth slightly. All fins rounded and soft-rayed, lacking
spines. Median fins moderately large, placed well back; anal fin origin about below posterior half of dorsal fin and origin of
latter anteriorly to above vent. Ventral fins small, placed well back from midway on abdomen. Dorsal fin distinctly anterior
to anal fin origin, and usually with 9–10 rays. Anal fin with longer base, rounded, and with 11–13 rays. Pectoral fin set very
low with 14–15 rays. Caudal fin shallowly emarginate to truncate with 16 principal rays and supported by short additional
procurrent rays running in thick skin flanges from outer rays to partly up caudal peduncle.
Size
Colour
Greyish above to pale cream or pinkish below, with dusky
blotches over back and sides. Spots usually darker and distinct
along lateral line, and often many narrow bars mid-laterally on
anterior half, some chevron shaped about centrally to below
dorsal fin. Snout often greenish. Eye white to yellowish. Gills
with usually a reflective silvery plate. The abdomen plain and
whitish underneath. Fins translucent greyish to yellowish, but
usually showing little colour. Small black spot may be scattered
over body and fins that are caused by trematode cysts.

Occurs in the upper headwaters of the Tarwin River. Appears
to be restricted to the Mt. Worth region where it occurs in the
in the shallow forested streams and good numbers were also
found in the streams running into the adjacent cleared lands.
Based on the very low placing of the pectoral fins, flattened
ventrally body shape and low head profile this species appears
to be a good climbing species to handle the rocky waterfalls
that are in the strongly undulating topography of the region.
Old records from the Tara Valley may have been this species or
very close sibling, but none were found in recent times. The
region was largely cleared and waterways have completely
changed on the mostly private lands and Pine plantations.
Similar species
None, a distinctive slender taxon, but it could be confused with
one of the dusky members of the group collectively known as
mountain galaxias, of which Galaxias lanceolatus shows some
morphological similarities and may be a close sibling.
Synonyms None.


This species has very variable patterns of spots and bars, but they are consistent in style. In the plain looking individuals the
spots are mainly confined to along the lateral line as a series. In the dark, busily pattern ones the spots expand into barring,
along the sides, fairly straight at first and changing to chevron about centrally and ending in blotches on caudal peduncle.
The largest adult found, at about 85 mm total length, was the deepest bodied, and maybe several years old (top image).
Some of the others, not much smaller, were considerably more slender and probably much younger. The slender body would
be more suitable to travel the fast flowing creeks when in flood and work their way up falls. This taxon seemed unusual in
the way it moves its head sideways, which is a feature more developed in the Mudfish of the Neochanna genus.

Below Creeks start at about 350 m altitudes where they are a mix of muddy pools dropping gradually into steeper terrain.
During dry periods the flow is minute, but as small runs join the flow increases and during rain it can become a moderate
stream with several waterfalls that apparently keep the predatory salmonid out. The narrow and shallow muddy streams are
heavily overgrown, but much of it is blackberries and stinging nettles and the historically rocky pools are filled with mud.
Few fish were found there and they seemed to prefer the deeper pools downstream where on the bottom and not under the
banks. In both forest and the open downstream habitats many fish were infested with black and white trematode cysts.

Shaw Galaxias Galaxias gunaikurnai

Galaxias gunaikurnai Raadik, 2014. Bennison High Plains, Victoria.
Description
Body long, elongate tubular, thickening somewhat centrally with age. Lateral line almost straight, centrally on sides. Head
of moderate size, its length about 75–100% of body depth in juveniles to adults respectively, front broadly rounded; snout
moderately long, slightly longer than eye diameter; mouth large, reaching to below anterior edge of eye, at relatively low
angle, upper part in front of eye. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and strongly rounded. Median fins from moderately large
to smallish from juvenile to adult respectively and are placed well back; anal fin origin under centre of dorsal fin base and
origin of latter well anteriorly to above vent. Ventral fins small and strongly rounded in adults, placed midway of total length.
Dorsal fin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin, rounded at tip, usually with 9–10 rays. Base of dorsal fin fleshy in adults. Anal
fin with longer rays, rounded at tip, and with 10–11 rays. Pectoral fin set very low, base near horizontal, with 14–15 rays.
Caudal fin emarginate to near truncate with 16 principal rays and supported by additional procurrent rays running in thick
skin flanges from the outer rays to partly up caudal peduncle, lower nearly reaching anal fin.
Size
Colour
Generally pale brownish, dusky on back, and
shading to pale below. Upper area of the body
with an irregular pattern of dusky blotches and
short blackish bars on sides, some posteriorly to
ventral fins slightly chevron. Eye pale brown to
whitish. A silvery blotch on operculum.
Abdominal area plain creamish. Fins pale grey
to yellowish, semi-translucent.

In Victoria known only from the small northern
tributaries of the Macalister River basin in few
habitats left in an area that is infested with trout,
heavily logged and silting up of streams. Late
December 2013, small groups of juveniles,
about 15 mm TL, were seen swimming in the
uppermost tributaries on the Bennison High
Plains at an altitude of 1300 m. Downstream a
few juveniles up to about 40 mm long were seen
moving about in open sections.
Similar species
Various species collectively known as mountain galaxias.
Most similar to the close sibling Galaxias lanceolatus, but
this species has a more mottled blotched pattern and the
snout is more rounded versus flattened from above.
Synonyms None.
Other names used Macalister Galaxias.
Galaxias gunaikurnai distribution in Victoria


Dargo Galaxias Galaxias mungadhan

Galaxias mungadhan Raadik, 2014. Dargo High Plains, Alpine National Park, Victoria.
Description
Body long, elongate tubular, thickening somewhat centrally with age. Lateral line as a straight series of large pores, slightly
above center above abdominal section and center of caudal peduncle. Head small, its length about 25% in SL; mouth large,
reaching to below anterior edge of eye, oblique, upper part to level of top of eye. Eye small, about 15% in HL in adults.
Fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and strongly rounded. Median fins moderately large, placed well back. Anal fin origin under
posterior part of dorsal fin base. Dorsal fin origin placed well anteriorly to above vent. Ventral fins placed midway of SL, of
moderate size with 7 rays, central 5 as strong and branched
rays, rounded and spreading sideways, and frontal rays with
climbing flanges in adults. Dorsal fin distinctly anterior to anal
fin origin, rounded and with 10–11 rays. Anal fin broadly
rounded at tip with 10–12 rays. Pectoral fin set very low, base
thickened and at angle, with 14–15 rays and spreading nearly
horizontally. Caudal fin slightly emarginate or truncate with 16
segmented rays and well supported by additional procurrent
rays running in thick skin flanges from outer rays far up caudal
peduncle, reaching anal fin.
Size Length up to about 110 mm TL.
Pectoral fin with climbing flanges Colour Adults dark yellow-brown with blackish blotches and
banding, including ventrally. Juveniles pale to dark brownish,
dusky on top with indistinct banding, and paler below. A short
indistinct pale bar angling away from behind eye that fades, but
still visible in adults. Eye white in juveniles to brown in adults.
Young with a silvery dash on operculum when very small and
abdominal area yellowish or whitish, peppered with tiny dusky
dots and fins semi-translucent and yellowish.
Distribution and remarks Known only from the Dargo
High Plains at about 1200–1550 m altitude, which is up from
just below the snow-line. It seems to be a migratory species
Juvenile, 40 mm TL restricted to small streams in the upper Dargo region. The
flanges on the horizontally spreading pectoral and ventral fins
is unusual and suggests it to be a good climber that can handle
high rocky elevations or water falls. It also shows wrinkles on
the abdomen (see top image next page) that in all make a large
surface to cling to rocks in fast flows. Because of trout in the
main river, this species is limited to above the natural barriers
inaccessible to these predators. Most populations have been
lost to the salmonids or from degradation of habitat.
Similar species Various other galaxiid species collectively
known as mountain galaxias, but this species has unusual
flanges on the ventral and pectoral fins (see image left-top) that
develop in subadult stages and lacks distinct spots or bars.
Synonyms None.

Galaxias mungadhan distribution in Victoria

Above Large adults about 100 mm in total length. Below Subadult about 65 mm long. At this stage they have developed
their climbing flanges and are very slender, which suggest ‘time to travel’.
Below Gravid female. Eggs large, about 2.2 mm in diameter, and estimated number about 200. After spawning eggs are
taken by currents and suspended until landing in rocky crevices. Spawning is during end of Winter and early Spring.

Habitat above the snow line at 1560 m

Spawning male

East Gippsland Galaxias Galaxias aequipinnis

Galaxias aequipinnis Raadik, 2014. Murrungower State Forest, Victoria.
Description
Body long, elongate tubular, thickening somewhat centrally with age. Lateral line straight, about centrally on sides. Head
small, its length about equal to body depth or slightly longer in small individuals, front broadly rounded, snout short; mouth
large, reaching to well below anterior edge of eye, oblique, upper part to level of top of eye. Eye small, its diameter less
than snout length. All fins soft-rayed, lacking spines and strongly rounded. Median fins of a moderately large size, placed
well back. Anal fin origin anterior about to below centre of dorsal fin base and origin of dorsal fin slightly anteriorly to above
vent. Ventral fins of moderate size, placed about midway of total length. Dorsal fin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin and
strongly rounded, usually with 9–10 rays. Anal fin with longer rays and strongly rounded, and usually with 11–12 rays.
Pectoral fin set very low, its base near horizontal, with
14–15 rays and fin spreading near horizontally. Caudal fin
slightly emarginate to truncate with 16 principal rays and
supported by additional procurrent rays running in thick skin
flanges from outer rays to partly up caudal peduncle.
Size
Colour
Generally pale brownish, dusky on top, and pale below.
Upper area of the body with an irregular pattern of dusky
specks and blotches. Sides with darker blotches or black
spots along lateral line, some forming irregular lines or broad
bars running onto abdominal area. Eyes dusky yellowish to
whitish. A silvery dash on operculum. Abdominal area
whitish, peppered with tiny dusky dots and indistinct dusky
bars. Fins semi-translucent and yellowish.

In Victoria known only from the small northwestern streams
in the Bemm River basin. Before trout were introduced it
was probably widespread in the catchment and the small
area left appears to be its last stand. Habitats in the regions
are now systematically destroyed by clearfell logging, causing
silting up of the streams. This species has low-placed ventral
fins, similar to Galaxias coxii and it may be a migratory
species as it can also climb steep rocky elevations. It often
rests on the substrate, perched on its paired fins. This species
is one of the most critically endangered of the mountain
galaxias complex of taxa.
Similar species
Various species collectively known as mountain galaxias.
Synonyms None.
Other names used Bemm or Arte River Galaxias.

Galaxias aequipinnis distribution in Victoria


Genus Neochanna Günther, 1867

Gender feminine. Type-species Neochanna apoda Günther 1867.
A small genus comprising 6 species, most of which endemic to New Zealand and only one is known from Australian waters.
It differs from Galaxias in having long based dorsal and anal fins and a rounded caudal fin. The single Australian species
was previously placed in Galaxias. Further details in the species account below.
Tasmanian Mudfish Neochanna cleaveri

Galaxias cleaveri Scott, 1934. West Ulverstone, northwestern Tasmania.
Description
Body long, elongate tubular. Lateral line straight, about centrally on sides. Head short, its length slightly longer than body
depth, front bluntly rounded; mouth oblique and of moderate size, reaching just to below anterior edge of eye, upper part
to level of middle of eye and lower jaw usually slightly protruding. Eye very small, its diameter less than snout length. All fins
soft-rayed, lacking spines and strongly rounded. Median fins of a moderately large size, placed well back. Anal fin origin
below front half of dorsal fin base. Origin of dorsal fin over or anteriorly to above vent. Ventral fins small and pedal-shaped,
placed about midway of total length. Dorsal fin distinctly anterior to anal fin origin and strongly rounded, usually with 9–11
rays. Anal fin strongly rounded, and usually with 10–11 rays. Pectoral fin with broad vertical base, set low with 13–14 rays.
Caudal fin truncate to rounded with 16 principal rays and supported by additional procurrent rays running in thick skin
flanges from outer rays to partly up caudal peduncle, reaching close to dorsal and caudal fin bases.
Size
Length up to about 140 mm, usually about 80–100 mm TL.
Colour
Greenish grey to yellowish brown brownish above to pale whitish ventrally. Upper area of the body with irregular scribbles,
spots or a pattern of dusky blotches. Sides similar to back, but some individuals may have somewhat chevron narrow pale
bars. Eye distinctly white. Fins semi-translucent and thickened basal parts as a continuation of the body colour.

In Victoria known only from few locations in coastal, usually
muddy streams or swamp drains into Bass Strait. Mainly a
Tasmanian species. Being a diadromous species, it can be
expected in all other streams in the Bass Strait region.
Similar species
None in Australia, but small juveniles could be mistaken for
Galaxias maculatus.
Synonyms
Saxilaga anguilliformis Scott, 1936.
Galaxias upcheri Scott, 1942.
Other names used
Australian Mudfish, Galaxias cleaveri, Saxilaga cleaveri.
Neochanna cleaveri distribution in Victoria


Genus Galaxiella McDowall, 1978

Gender: feminine. Type-species: Galaxias pusillus Mack 1936.
A small genus with four species endemic to Australia, two in the southwest and two in the southeastern regions. It differs
from Galaxias in having its dorsal fin origin posterior to anal fin origin and a rounded caudal fin. Virtually identical to the
Chilean Brachygalaxias which was used at some stage, and the separation of Galaxiella is questionable. Differences are
probably not at generic level, as caudal fin shape and geography were used to nominate a new genus.
Dwarf Galaxias Galaxiella pusilla

Galaxias pusillus Mack, 1936. Cardinia Creek, east of Melbourne, Victoria.
Description
A very small stocky fish, thickened centrally. Head small and rounded with a large eye and short snout. Fins relatively small,
soft-rayed, lacking spines, rather membranous and strongly rounded. Median fins placed well back. Anal fin origin well in
front of dorsal fin origin. Ventral fins small and paddle-shaped, placed midway of standard length. Dorsal fin distinctly set
back and posteriorly to anal fin origin, usually with 5–8 rays and middle rays longest. Anal fin usually with 7–10 rays and
middle rays longest. Pectoral fin rounded, paddle-like, set at mid-side level with 10–14 rays. Ventral fins very small with 4–6
rays and set centrally of standard length. Caudal fin usually with only 12–14 principal rays and largely supported by
additional procurrent rays running in a long thick skin flanges from top of outer rays to far up caudal peduncle, reaching
almost to dorsal and caudal fin bases.
Size
Length of males up to 30 mm, females 30–35 mm TL (50 mm Wilsons Promontory).
Colour
Sexually dimorphic. Female plain greenish grey above and whitish below usually with a thin blackish line low along sides.
Males with three black lines and a narrow bright red or orange stripe just above lower black line
Variable with slightly different localised forms in southeastern in Victoria. The form at Wilsons Promontory grows considerably
larger compared to other mainland populations, especially females. Scott named the southern forms from Flinders Island and
Tasmania as subspecies, but elevating the taxonomic level of the various forms seems unwarranted. He placed them in the South
American genus Brachygalaxias, similarly in size and colouration of both sexes, but caudal fin shallowly forked. Morphology varies
considerably in relation to habitat, stream flow and with seasonal conditions. In drying pools the fishes can be very small and stocky.
Habitats coastal to low altitude hinterland regions, in still or slow flowing stream rich with plants on the banks or emerged.
Spawning on the Mornington Peninsula usually starts in about
July when water temperatures are at about 10°C and the sticky
eggs are placed on plants, usually the undersides of leaves.
Female inverts to lay eggs, one at a time, followed by the male
in the same way to fertilise it (see opposite page). In deep ponds
Dwarf Galaxias readily breeds in captivity and is an excellent
species for mosquito control.
Similar species None.
Synonyms Brachygalaxias pusillus flindersiensis Scott,
1971. Brachygalaxias pusillus tasmaniensis Scott, 1971.
Galaxiella pusilla distribution in Victoria


Dwarf Galaxias Galaxiella pusilla egg and fry development
1 day 2 days
Dwarf Galaxias Galaxiella pusilla east Victorian form
Mt Emu Creek, Beaufort >>>

Effected by parasites in head >>

<<< Yarram
Frankston (Boggy Cr, 1981)
Mornington Peninsula >>>>
Dwarf Galaxias Galaxiella pusilla Wilsons Promontory form (flindersiensis)

Effected by parasites in head >>
Kangaroo Creek
Little Galaxias Galaxiella toourtkoourt
Galaxias toourtkoourt Coleman & Raadik, 2015. Cobboboonee, Victoria.
Description
A very small stocky fish, thickened centrally. Head small and rounded with a large eye and short snout. Fins relatively small,
soft-rayed, lacking spines, rather membranous and strongly rounded. Median fins placed well back. Anal fin origin well in
front of dorsal fin origin. Ventral fins small and paddle-shaped, placed midway of standard length. Dorsal fin distinctly set
back and posteriorly to anal fin origin, usually with 5–8 rays and middle rays longest. Anal fin usually with 7–10 rays and
middle rays longest. Pectoral fin rounded, paddle-like, set at mid-side level with 8–13 rays. Ventral fins very small with 5–6
rays and set centrally of standard length. Caudal fin usually with only 12–14 principal rays and largely supported by
additional procurrent rays running in a long thick skin flanges from top of outer rays to far up caudal peduncle, reaching
almost to dorsal and caudal fin bases.
Size
Length of males, usually up to 30 mm, females 40 mm TL.
Colour
Sexually dimorphic. Female plain greenish grey above and whitish below usually with a thin blackish line low along sides.
Spawning males with three black lines and a broad bright red or yellow to orange stripe just above lower black line, abdomen
white ventrally. Lower black line more solid from vent to hypural, gradually becoming series of spots anteriorly.
If a true species, it appears to be restricted to the far
south west of the state, mainly the Portland region
and its range is mostly in South Australia. Inhabits
swamps as well as fast running streams where out of
the currents in overhanging riparian vegetation. This
taxon is virtually identical to its eastern sibling
Galaxiella pusilla, but it’s thought to be generally
smaller and with a shorted snout. Nuptial males look
almost identical, but the red stripe appears to be
slightly broader in the western form and the lower
Cawker Creek black line is more solid from vent to tail. An unusual
form comprising short females (left) and long males
with a yellow mid-lateral narrow stripe and low head
profile was found in Cawker Creek near the South
Australian border. Some western populations, such
as near Beaufort, are impossible to distinguish from
G. pusilla and this raises the question of the validity
of G. toourtkoourt. Like many forms of species in
the Galaxias genus, they are members of a complex
of localised forms. Raising a near identical form to
species level seems unjustified when not recognising
much more distinct forms in Galaxias.
Similar species Galaxiella pusilla.
Synonyms Galaxiella pusilla?
Galaxiella toourtkoourt distribution in Victoria

Hotspur
<<< Darlot Creek, Lake Condah
Cawker Creek, Casterton

Darlot Creek, Lake Condah

Index
Galaxias sp. 11 ‘Nunniong’ ..............80 Goulburn..............................34
aequipinnis .......................100 sp. 12 ‘Tarwin’....................90 Hinterland ............................20
arcanus ...............................26 sp. Barwon-1 .......................70 Langkoop ............................77
brevipinnis ............................9 sp. Barwon-2 .......................72 Lerderderg ...........................68
coxii .....................................9 sp. Lerderderg......................68 Lima....................................35
fuscus..................................30 sp. ‘Maribyrnong’ .................66 Little..................................108
gunaikurnai .........................94 Macalister.............................94
lanceolatus ..........................88 Galaxiella Many-bar .............................32
longifundus .........................86 pusilla ...............................104 Maribyrnong.........................66
maculatus............................14 toourtkoourt .....................108 McDowall’s...........................84
mcdowalli............................84 Mitta Mitta ...........................38
mungadhan .........................96 Neochanna Morass.................................48
oliros...................................22 cleaveri .............................102 Mount Buffalo ......................42
ornatus................................54 Nunniong .............................80
ornatus aff. E. Bunyip ..........58 Galaxias Obscure ...............................22
ornatus aff. W. Bunyip..........56 Arte River ..........................100 Otways ................................74
ornatus aff. Tarago...............60 Barred .................................30 Ovens ..................................40
ornatus aff. Yarra .................62 Barwon................................70 Riffle....................................26
rostratus..............................18 Bemm River.......................100 Roundsnout..........................24
terenasus.............................24 Bogong................................44 Shaw ...................................94
truttaceus ..............................6 Bright ..................................33 Spotted ..................................6
sp. 1. ‘Hinterland’ ..............20 Bunyip...........................56/58 Tapered ...............................88
sp. 2. ‘Many-bar’ ................32 Cardinia ...............................54 Tarago .................................60
sp. 2A. ‘Bright’ ..................33 Cawker ................................76 Tarwin .................................90
sp. 3. ‘Cobberas’ ................36 Climbing ................................9 Thompson ...........................88
sp. 4. ‘Mitta Mitta’..............38 Cobberas .............................36 West Gippsland ....................86
sp. 5. ‘Ovens’ ....................40 Common .............................14 Yarra ...................................62
sp. 5A. ‘Mt Buffalo’ ............42 Dargo ..................................96
sp. 6. ‘Bogong’ ..................44 Diamond ..............................58 Mudfish ................................102
sp. 7. ‘Morass’ ...................48 Dwarf ................................104
sp. 8. ‘Cawker’...................76 East Gippsland ...................100
sp. 9. ‘Langkoop’ ...............77 Flathead ...............................18
sp. 10. ‘Otways’ ...................74 Genoa .................................24
Main literature sited or used

Armstrong, Neil, 1993. Re-discovering Galaxias fuscus. Fishes of Sahul, V7-4, pp 328–329.
Coleman, R.A., A.A. Hoffmann & T.A. Raadik, 2015. A Review of Galaxiella pusilla (Mack) (Teleostei: Galaxiidae)
in south-eastern Australia with a Description of a New Species. Zootaxa. 4021(2): 243–281.
Günther, A., 1866. Catalog of the Fishes in the British Museum, Volume 6, p 209.
Kuiter, R.H., 2003. More on Galaxias fuscus. Fishes of Sahul, V17-3/4.
Kuiter, R.H., 2006. Wild Tasmania. Fishes of Sahul, V20-1.
Kuiter, R.H., 2013. Victoria’s Freshwater Fishes. Aquatic Photographics. Seaford. 178 pp.
Lake, J.S., 1976. Freshwater Fishes and Rivers of Australia. Thomas Nelson Limited. West Melbourne.
Mack, G., 1936. Victorian Species of the Genus Galaxias, with Descriptions of Two New Species. Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., IX.
Macleay, William, 1882. Species of Galaxias found in the Australian Alps. Linnean Society of NSW. Proc. Vol. 7.
McDowall, R.M., 1973. Limitation of the genus Brachygalaxias. Eigenman, 1928 (Pisces: Galaxiidae). Jl R. Soc N.Z.
(nat. Hist.) 9(5): 91–101.
McDowall, R.M. & R.S. Frankenberg, 1981. The Galaxiid Fishes of Australia. Records of the Australian Museum
V. 33 (# 10): 443-605.
McDowall, R.M., 1996. Editor Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books.
McDowall, R.M., 2000. New Zealand Freshwater Fishes. Reed Books, Auckland.
Munro, Ian S.R., 1938. Handbook of Australian fishes. Fisheries Newsletter, Vol. 16, No 2.
Ogilby, J. Douglas, 1896. On a Galaxias from Mount Kosciusko. Linnean Society of NSW. Proc. Vol. 21.
Raadik, T.A., 2008. In Fishes of Australia’s South Coast: Gomon et al. 2008.
Raadik, T.A., 2014. A revision of the Galaxias olidus Gunther, 1866 complex (Teleostei, Galaxiidae) in south-eastern
Australia recognises 3 previously described taxa and describes 12 new species. Zootaxa 3898(1): 001–198.
Stokell, G., 1947. The Validity of Galaxias kayi Ramsay and Ogilby. South Australian Museum Records V8. 8, 1947.
GalaxiasFishesCoverB_GalaxiasFishesCover 3/07/18 6:40 PM Page 1
Galaxiid fishes are of Gondwana origin and well represented in Victoria. All known
VICTORIA’S GALAXIID FISHES

members are described and illustrated with multiple images, including many apparently
new species. With nearly all natural habitats destroyed and predatory trout recklessly
introduced, many species are critically endangered and surviving in headwaters of river
basins as highly localised small populations in forested habitats. Galaxiid fishes are most
vulnerable in their last stand, but environment departments are determined to eliminate
even the small percentage left with their clearfell logging and deliberate fires. These
destructive actions have to stop to arrest the demise of the remaining populations and
their habitats need to be protected. In having a species on the international red-list as
‘critically-endangered’ means very little for habitats and is typically ignored by industries.
This book serves to make people aware of these special fishes living in our forests. VICTORIA’S
GALAXIID FISHES
REVISED 2018
Rudie H Kuiter
AQUATIC PHOTOGRAPHICS
REVISED 2018 A QUATIC

P HOTOGRAPHICS
AQUATIC PHOTOGRAPHICS RUDIE H KUITER

Galaxiid Fishes S

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1-Galaxias Fishes 1-29_Galaxias Fishes 1-29 3/07/18 7:54 PM Page I

Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter III

Family Galaxiidae – galaxiid fishes

Above West Gippsland Galaxias. It was only recently

Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter V

Key to the Galaxiidae genera in Victoria

VI Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter

Genus Galaxias Cuvier, 1816

Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter 1

Galaxias olidus identity

2 Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter

Climbing Galaxias identity

The Grouping by Drainages

Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter 3

Selected terminology used

Dorsal fin (formula: D, 9)

Caudal fin shapes in Galaxias

4 Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter

Quick-guide to selected Galaxias species

Galaxias sp. 1 ‘hinterland’

Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter 5

Spotted Galaxias Galaxias truttaceus

Distribution and remarks

6 Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter

Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter 7

Galaxias truttaceus development of juvenile stages

8 Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter

Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula

Climbing Galaxias Galaxias coxii

Size Whitebait stage about 45 mm TL Juvenile climbing vertical wall

Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter 9

Distribution and remarks

infested with trematode cysts

10 Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter

Galaxias nigothoruk form, Licola

Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter 11

Galaxias coxii development of juvenile stages

Upper Tarago River

Dignams Cr, southern NSW Bunyip, western tributary

Forster Yalmy >>

Upper Tarago River

12 Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter

Raymond Creek, Yalmy

Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter 13

Common Galaxias Galaxias maculatus

Galaxias maculatus distribution in Victoria

14 Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter

Adults about 100–170 mm TL. Dignams Creek, southern NSW.

Adults about 120–130 mm TL. Ewens Ponds.

Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter 15

Juveniles about 40 & 50 mm TL

Adults about 130 & 150 mm TL

16 Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter

Subadults about 80–95 mm TL

Adult colour variations

Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter 17

Flathead Galaxias Galaxias rostratus

Distribution and remarks

Other names used

18 Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter

Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter 19

Glenelg basin >>

20 Victoria’s galaxiid fishes – Kuiter