The western galaxias is large compared with other galaxiids, commonly growing to around 100 millimetres (4 in) in length but can grow up to 170 millimetres (7 in). It is a slender fish with a flattened head and snout and no scales. The single dorsal fin is set far back above the anal fin and has seven to ten soft rays while the anal fin has eleven to fourteen soft rays. Its dorsal surface and flanks are olive green with indistinct dark vertical bars and its belly is silvery-white.[1][2]
Distribution and habitatedit
The western galaxias is found in many waterways in the South West region of Western Australia from north of Perth to as far east as Albany. It is found in clear water at the edge of pools in rivers, at the base of rapids or waterfalls, in ponds, in shallow parts of lakes and in slow-flowing saline rivers. It can tolerate brackish pools and acidic or tannin-stained water.[2]
Behaviouredit
The western galaxias is a fast-swimming schooling fish and often forms shoals just above the substrate in the shallows. It is often found in and around submerged vegetation in rocky pools at the base of rapids and waterfalls. At the beginning of the wet season it moves upstream to small streams where it spawns among vegetation in flooded areas. It becomes sexually mature at the age of one year and may live for five years. The western galaxias is carnivorous and mainly feeds on small insects and crustaceans.[2]
Referencesedit
^"Native Fish Australia - Western Galaxias". Retrieved 16 December 2018.
^ abc"Galaxias occidentalis Ogilby, 1899: Western minnow". FishBase. 2007. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
April 17, 2024
western, galaxias, species, known, western, minnow, galaxiella, munda, western, galaxias, galaxias, occidentalis, also, called, western, minnow, species, fish, genus, galaxias, small, southern, hemisphere, freshwater, fish, family, galaxiidae, endemic, southwe. For the species known as the western mud minnow see Galaxiella munda The western galaxias Galaxias occidentalis also called the western minnow is a species of fish in the genus Galaxias of small Southern Hemisphere freshwater fish of the family Galaxiidae It is endemic to southwestern Australia Western galaxiasScientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass ActinopterygiiOrder GalaxiiformesFamily GalaxiidaeGenus GalaxiasSpecies G occidentalisBinomial nameGalaxias occidentalisJ D Ogilby 1899 Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Behaviour 4 ReferencesDescription editThe western galaxias is large compared with other galaxiids commonly growing to around 100 millimetres 4 in in length but can grow up to 170 millimetres 7 in It is a slender fish with a flattened head and snout and no scales The single dorsal fin is set far back above the anal fin and has seven to ten soft rays while the anal fin has eleven to fourteen soft rays Its dorsal surface and flanks are olive green with indistinct dark vertical bars and its belly is silvery white 1 2 Distribution and habitat editThe western galaxias is found in many waterways in the South West region of Western Australia from north of Perth to as far east as Albany It is found in clear water at the edge of pools in rivers at the base of rapids or waterfalls in ponds in shallow parts of lakes and in slow flowing saline rivers It can tolerate brackish pools and acidic or tannin stained water 2 Behaviour editThe western galaxias is a fast swimming schooling fish and often forms shoals just above the substrate in the shallows It is often found in and around submerged vegetation in rocky pools at the base of rapids and waterfalls At the beginning of the wet season it moves upstream to small streams where it spawns among vegetation in flooded areas It becomes sexually mature at the age of one year and may live for five years The western galaxias is carnivorous and mainly feeds on small insects and crustaceans 2 References edit Native Fish Australia Western Galaxias Retrieved 16 December 2018 a b c Galaxias occidentalis Ogilby 1899 Western minnow FishBase 2007 Retrieved 2013 12 29 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Western galaxias amp oldid 1103584611, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
