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Climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis) — Galaxiidae

Climbing galaxias

Galaxias brevipinnis
Family: Galaxiidae

The Climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Galaxiidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The climbing galaxias is a galaxiid freshwater fish (Galaxiidae) from New Zealand and southeastern Australia. The species grows to about 28 cm and has an elongate, scaleless, olive-brown body without pelvic fins and is famous for its ability to climb wet rocks and waterfalls using its pectoral and pelvic fins. The larvae often wash to sea and return as juveniles. It eats insects, larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Climbing galaxias?

The Climbing galaxias has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Climbing galaxias live?

The Climbing galaxias lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

How big does the Climbing galaxias get?

The Climbing galaxias grows to a maximum of about 28 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Climbing galaxias dangerous to humans?

No, the Climbing galaxias 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 Climbing galaxias edible?

Yes, the Climbing galaxias is commonly eaten.

More photos

Climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis) — Galaxiidae — 2
Henry Albert (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis) — Galaxiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jason van Weenen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis) — Galaxiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Darcy Whittaker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis) — Galaxiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Henry Albert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Climbing galaxias sourced
Scientific name
Galaxias brevipinnis
Family
Galaxiidae
Other names
Climbing galaxias; Cox's mountain galaxias; Cox's mountain trout; Koaro; Mountain trout; Broad-finned galaxias; Lake trout; Lowland galaxias; Mersey jollytail; Pieman galaxias; Pieman jollytail; Short-fin galaxias verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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

Same genus Galaxias

More from the family Galaxiidae

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