Clarence Galaxias, Galaxias johnstoni Scott 1936


Clarence Galaxias, Galaxias johnstoni. Source: Gerald R. Allen. License: all rights reserved

Summary:
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Cite this page as:
Gomon 2010, Galaxias johnstoni in Fishes of Australia, accessed 09 Dec 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/3674

Clarence Galaxias, Galaxias johnstoni Scott 1936

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Distribution

Known only from the Clarence Lagoon and its tributaries, Tasmania (42°05’S); temperate; generally benthic, inhabiting the margins of streams, swamps and shallow lakes around the shelter of rocks and boulders.

Features

D 10-12; A 11-13; P 12-13; vertebrae 53-54

Body elongate, tubular; head blunt; mouth relatively large, reaching well below eye; jaws equal; depth at vent 7.6-9.1 in SL short, stout rakers on the first gill arch; lateral canines weak or absent; two pyloric caeca of moderate length.

Scales absent.

Caudal fin slightly emarginate or truncate; anal fin origin below middle to rear part of dorsal fin.

Size

Maximum size is 14 cm TL, commonly to 7.5 cm.

Colour

Dark greyish-brown dorsally with irregular dark brown bars and blotches extending down sides, yellowish-cream ventrally.

Feeding

Adults feed primarily on benthic crustaceans and insects; juveniles feed mainly on planktonic crustaceans and terrestrial insects.

Biology

Spawning occurs in Spring during which females produce approximately 300-200 eggs which are laid in masses beneath rocks. Entire life-cycle occurs in fresh water.

Eggs are 1.2-1.6mm diameter and adhesive.

Larvae hatch after 4-8 weeks at around 8mm TL living in open water until they reach 30mm TL and recruit to the adult benthic habitat.

Species Citation

Galaxias (Galaxias) johnstoni Scott E.O.G. (1936) Observations on fishes of the family Galaxiidae. Pap. Proc. R. Soc. Tasm. 1935: 85-112. Brown’s Marsh Rivulet, Clarence River, Tasmania.

Author

Gomon 2010

Clarence Galaxias, Galaxias johnstoni Scott 1936

References


Allen, G.R. 1989 Freshwater fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey.

Allen, G. R. , H. Midgley, and M. Allen 2002 Field guide to the freshwater fishes of Australia. Field guide to the freshwater fishes of Australia.: I-xiv + 1-394.

Crook D.A. & Sanger A.C 1998 Threatened fishes of the world: Galaxias johnstoni Scott, 1936 (Galaxiidae). Env. Biol. Fish. 53: 154

McDowall, R.M. (Ed) 1980 Freshwater fishes of south-eastern Australia (New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Terrey Hills, N.S.W.: Reed, 208p.

Merrick, J.R. and G.E. Schmida 1984 Australian freshwater fishes: biology and management. Griffin Press Ltd., South Australia. 409 p.

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37102005

Habitat:freshwater

Max Size:14 cm TL

Native:endemic

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