Common river galaxias
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| Galaxias vulgaris Stokell, 1949 |
The common river galaxias or Canterbury galaxias, Galaxias vulgaris, is a galaxiid fish of the genus Galaxias, found only in Canterbury, New Zealand. It grows to a length of up to 10 cm (4 inches).
Common river galaxias have olive-green convoluted bands over a light brown base. The single dorsal fin is rounded, and set back two thirds of the body length, the anal fin a little further back. The caudal fin is large and square. Like all galaxiids it lacks scales and has a thick, leathery skin covered with mucus.
The common river galaxias inhabits low to high altitude rivers and streams. They spawn in September and the mortality of adults can be high after spawning. The male fish excavates a primitive nest, usually under a boulder, and probably mates with several females. Although he guards the nest for a period while attracting females to breed, there is no evidence of any parental care of the eggs or larvae.
They are non-diadromous and therefore do not have a marine phase and are not part of the whitebait catch.
[edit] References
- "Galaxias vulgaris". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. March 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- NIWA June 2006
