Climbing Galaxias, Galaxias brevipinnis Günther 1866

Other Names: Broad-finned Galaxias, Cox's Mountain Galaxias, Cox's Mountain Trout, Lake Trout, Lowland Galaxias, Mersey Jollytail, Mountain Trout, Pieman Galaxias, Pieman Jollytail, Short-fin Galaxias, St. Claire Trout

Summary:

A large robust Galaxias with a large head, large thick fleshy pelvic and pectoral fins that are ventrally-oriented, the upper jaw slightly overhanging the short lower jaw, the dorsal fin origin before the anal-fin origin, and a short and stout caudal peduncle.

Climbing Galaxias are greyish-brown to dark olive above, paler below, with a golden iridescence in sunlight, and a highly variable pattern of darker bars, blotches or fine mottling on the sides, and often a dark grey to greyish-purple blotch immediately above and behind the pectoral-fin base.

The species is renowned for its climbing ability. Video of Climbing Galaxias at Wilsons Promontory, Victoria.

Climbing Galaxias on Flinders island, Bass Strait.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F. 2020, Galaxias brevipinnis in Fishes of Australia, accessed 18 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/3672

Climbing Galaxias, Galaxias brevipinnis Günther 1866

More Info

Distribution	In streams draining east and south from the Great Dividing Range: from the Hunter/Williams River system, New South Wales, to north of Port Lincoln and Kangaroo Island, South Australia, also Flinders Island and King Island, Bass Strait, and widespread in Tasmania. Elsewhere the species occurs in the south-west Pacific (New Zealand including Chatham, Auckland and Campbell islands). As a result of inter-basin transfer of water, this species is becoming widespread in catchments of the upper Murray River, and mid-upper Murrumbidgee River. As the common name suggests, individuals can easily climb over most moist surfaces. The species is migratory, with larvae and juveniles likely to be found in adjacent seas. Adults prefer clear fast-flowing shady streams with rocks, boulders and logs, usually well-upstream in the headwaters. They usually swim near the bottom around rocks and logs. Migratory, can climb over moist surfaces out of the water.
Features	Dorsal fin 11-15; Anal fin 12-17; Caudal fin 16; Pectoral fin 12-16; Pelvic fin 7; Vertebrae 55-63; Gill rakers 11-17. Body elongate, stout, almost tubular; body depth at vent 6.5-9.1 in SL; head large, dorsoventrally flattened, snout slender; lower jaw distinctly shorter than upper; mouth of moderate size reaching below eyes; gill rakers long, slender. Fins well developed, pelvic fins with thick, fleshy bases; single dorsal fin; anal fin short, origin distinctly behind origin of dorsal fin; pectoral fins large, low and downward facing; caudal fin truncate to emarginate.
Size	Maximum size to around 28 cm TL, commonly to 15cm.
Colour	Greyish-brown, darker above with a golden iridescence, and a highly variable pattern of dark bars, rows of spots, blotches or fine mottling on the sides; dark grey to greyish-purple blotch often present immediately behind the pectoral-fin base, and dark fin margins in adults.
Feeding	Feeds mostly on aquatic invertebrates including mayfly and caddis fly larvae, and small crustaceans. They will also prey on terrestrial insects such as flies, beetles, millipedes and amphipods from the surface.
Biology	In coastal streams breeding occurs during autumn and winter. Eggs are scattered amongst vegetation on the stream edge above the normal flow level, presumably when streams are in flood; fecundity is high up to 23676 eggs have been reported with an average of 7000 per individual. Eggs are round, adhesive, 1.8-2.1 mm diameter. Develop out of water in damp habitats for days or weeks before hatching on the next flood. Larvae are swept downstream to the sea where they develop for 5-6 months before migrating back into estuarine and freshwater habitats.
Fisheries	Climbing Galaxias historically formed part of the Tasmanian whitebait industry.
Remarks	Renowned for its ability to climb vertical waterfalls and rock faces using its broad pectoral and pelvic fins. Individuals can navigate most upstream barriers, including vertical cliff faces, by using their thick fleshy pelvic and large downward facing pectoral fins to 'wriggle' up damp rocky surfaces. This ability allows Climbing Galaxias to inhabit the headwaters of streams that are inaccessible to introduced species such as trout.
Similar Species	Raadik (2005, 2014) determined that Galaxias brevipinnis is a cryptic species complex comprising at least three taxa.
Species Citation	Galaxias brevipinnis Günther 1866, Catalogue of the Fishes of the British Museum Vol. 6: 213. Type locality: New Zealand.
Author	Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F. 2020
Resources	Atlas of Living Australia Australian Faunal Directory Catalog of Fishes

Climbing Galaxias, Galaxias brevipinnis Günther 1866

References

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Raadik, T.A. 2014. Fifteen from one: a revision of the Galaxias olidus Günther, 1866 complex (Teleostei, Galaxiidae) in south-eastern Australia recognises three previously described taxa and describes 12 new species. Zootaxa 3898(1): 1-198

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