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Brachygalaxias (Brachygalaxias bullocki) — Galaxiidae

Brachygalaxias

Brachygalaxias bullocki
Family: Galaxiidae
NT · Near Threatened

The Brachygalaxias (Brachygalaxias bullocki) is a freshwater fish of the family Galaxiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Chile (endemic)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Bullock's galaxias is a small freshwater fish endemic to central and southern Chile. The species reaches only about 6 cm and has a slender, scaleless, brown-speckled body without an adipose fin. As a bottom-dweller it lives in cool streams, marshes and pools among water plants and feeds on small invertebrates and insect larvae. Owing to its restricted range and habitat loss the species is under pressure. The IUCN assesses it as Near Threatened (NT).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brachygalaxias?

The Brachygalaxias has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Small scaleless body; endemic Chilean stream fish

Where does the Brachygalaxias live?

The Brachygalaxias lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Chile (endemic)

How big does the Brachygalaxias get?

The Brachygalaxias grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Brachygalaxias dangerous to humans?

No, the Brachygalaxias is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Brachygalaxias edible?

The Brachygalaxias is not usually eaten.

More photos

Brachygalaxias (Brachygalaxias bullocki) — Galaxiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — (c) Katherin Solis-Lufí, some rights reserved (CC BY) (CC BY 4.0)
Brachygalaxias (Brachygalaxias bullocki) — Galaxiidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Katherin Solis-Lufí (CC BY 4.0)
Brachygalaxias (Brachygalaxias bullocki) — Galaxiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Javier Ortiz Godoy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brachygalaxias (Brachygalaxias bullocki) — Galaxiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Katherin Solis-Lufí, some rights reserved (CC BY))
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All data

Identification

English name
Brachygalaxias verified
Scientific name
Brachygalaxias bullocki
Family
Galaxiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Chile (endemic) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and insect larvae inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Cool-water stream dweller; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Small scaleless body; endemic Chilean stream fish sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Galaxiidae

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