Eastern little galaxias (Galaxiella pusilla)

Scientific name: Galaxiella pusilla Mack, 1936

Eastern little galaxias (Galaxiella pusilla)

The Eastern little galaxias (Galaxiella pusilla) is a freshwater fish of the family Galaxiidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–30°C (50–86°F).

Eastern little galaxias care at a glance

Temperature
10–30°C (50–86°F)

Biology

Frequently found among vegetation along the edge of still or slow-running waters like swamps, drainage ditches and backwaters of creeks. Adults live in both ephemeral and permanent habitats. A short-lived fish, reaching maturity in the first year of life and perishing shortly after spawning. Fish occupying ephemeral water possibly aestivate or shelter in crayfish burrows when surface water evaporates during summer. Probably an annual species. Spawn from August to October. Like its southwestern relative G. munda, this species is also a multiple spawner. Females deposit a few eggs per day on leaf litter. Eggs hatch after 10-17 days at 16?-21?C. Scanty information on diet: captive specimens eat small invertebrates and filamentous algae.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Galaxiella pusilla
Family
Galaxiidae (Galaxiids)
Order
Osmeriformes (Smelts)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
4.8
Common length
3.0
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Oceania: Australia; coastal streams of Victoria from the Mitchell River or a little to the east, west to Mount Gambier in South Australia and south to the northeastern corner of Tasmania, including Flinders Island in Bass Strait.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Vulnerable (VU) (B1+2bcd)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tmax=1;tm=1;Fec=66)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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