Western minnow (Galaxias occidentalis)

Scientific name: Galaxias occidentalis Ogilby, 1899

Western minnow (Galaxias occidentalis)

The Western minnow (Galaxias occidentalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Galaxiidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 9–26°C (48–79°F). Native range: Oceania, endemic to southwestern Western Australia.

Western minnow care at a glance

Temperature
9–26°C (48–79°F)

Biology

Found in rocky pools at the base of rapids and waterfalls. Occur around submerged vegetation along the edges of pools or slow-flowing water and sometimes in lakes and ponds. Water is usually clear and fresh or darkly tannin-stained and slightly acidic. Tolerate brackish conditions found in many salt-affected rivers of the south-west. A fast swimming species, forming moderately-sized shoals just above the bottom. With the onset of winter rains, these fish move into small tributaries and feeder streams of rivers and wetlands to spawn among flooded vegetation. Sexual maturity is reached the following autumn. Feed mainly on insects and small crustaceans. Considered as the most abundant freshwater fish species in southwestern Western Australia.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Galaxias occidentalis
Family
Galaxiidae (Galaxiids)
Order
Osmeriformes (Smelts)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
19.0
Common length
9.0
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Oceania: endemic to southwestern Western Australia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=1; tmax=5; Fec=206;)

Sources

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

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