Scientific Name
Paragalaxias eleotroides
Common Name
Great Lake Darter
Biology
Live in rocky shores, among aquatic vegetation, inundated terrestrial scrub and debris. Cryptic. They are benthic, preferring rocky lake margins in shallow water, but also occur to at least 10 meters depth. Found in swampy areas bordering lakes during floods. Remain close to available cover (rocks, wood, plants). Behave like a gudgeon, remaining motionless on the bottom most of the time and darting after prey with rapid bursts. They adopt the typical gudgeon posture of supporting itself with the pectoral fins (Ref. 44894). Feed on a variety of insects, microcrustaceans, worms, galaxiid eggs and algae. Spawn in spring; sexual maturity is reached after one year, maximum life span is two years (Ref. 44894).