Murray jollytail (Galaxias rostratus)

Scientific name: Galaxias rostratus Klunzinger, 1872

The Murray jollytail (Galaxias rostratus) is a freshwater fish of the family Galaxiidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–26°C (50–79°F).

Murray jollytail care at a glance

Temperature
10–26°C (50–79°F)

Biology

Inhabits stream margins over rock or sand bottoms, sometimes among aquatic vegetation. Still or gently flowing water on the margins of lakes, billabongs and streams. Usually swims in midwater over rock or sand bottoms, also in the vicinity of aquatic plants. Shoal forming. Feeds on a wide range of aquatic insects and crustaceans. Spawning has been recorded between August and September. Each spawning female releases 3,000-7,000 eggs which are slightly adhesive and settle to the bottom. Hatching in nine days at 9-14?C; newly hatched fry are 6-7 mm long.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Galaxias rostratus
Family
Galaxiidae (Galaxiids)
Order
Osmeriformes (Smelts)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
12.0
Common length
9.0
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Oceania: Murray River and tributaries in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, Australia. Has also been reported from several major tributaries of the eastern Murray system including Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, Loddon, Goulburn, Ovens and Mitta Mitta Rivers.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Vulnerable (VU) (A1c)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

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

Last updated