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Galaxias (Galaxiella munda) — Galaxiidae

Galaxias

Galaxiella munda
Family: Galaxiidae
EN · Endangered

The Galaxias (Galaxiella munda) is a freshwater fish of the family Galaxiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The western mud minnow is a dwarf galaxias (Galaxiidae) from southwestern Australia. The species is very small, slender and scaleless with fine lengthwise stripes. It inhabits slow or gently flowing, tea-coloured streams flowing through karri forests and also still waters. As a small predator it snaps small invertebrates, insect larvae and small zooplankton. Through habitat loss and introduced fishes it is considered endangered. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Galaxias?

The Galaxias has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Galaxias live?

The Galaxias lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Galaxias get?

The Galaxias grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Galaxias dangerous to humans?

No, the Galaxias is harmless to humans.

Is the Galaxias edible?

The Galaxias is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Westelijke dwerggalaxias sourced
English name
Galaxias verified
Scientific name
Galaxiella munda
Family
Galaxiidae
Other names
Mud minnow; Swan galaxias; Western dwarf galaxias; Western Mud Minnow verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Average length (cm)
3.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Galaxiella

More from the family Galaxiidae

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