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New Caledonian galaxias (Galaxias neocaledonicus) — Galaxiidae

New Caledonian galaxias

Galaxias neocaledonicus
Family: Galaxiidae

The New Caledonian galaxias (Galaxias neocaledonicus) is a freshwater fish of the family Galaxiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–5.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: New Caledonia

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Description

The New Caledonian galaxias is a scaleless freshwater fish (Galaxiidae) from streams and rivers of New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, elongate, smooth, brown-speckled body with rearward-set fins and no scales. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it shelters by day among stones and roots and hunts insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the New Caledonian galaxias?

The New Caledonian galaxias has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the New Caledonian galaxias live?

The New Caledonian galaxias lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: New Caledonia

How big does the New Caledonian galaxias get?

The New Caledonian galaxias grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the New Caledonian galaxias dangerous to humans?

No, the New Caledonian 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.

More photos

New Caledonian galaxias (Galaxias neocaledonicus) — Galaxiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Damien Brouste, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
New Caledonian galaxias (Galaxias neocaledonicus) — Galaxiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) boussion_magali, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
New Caledonian galaxias (Galaxias neocaledonicus) — Galaxiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Damien Brouste, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
New Caledonian galaxias (Galaxias neocaledonicus) — Galaxiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Damien Brouste, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
New Caledonian galaxias sourced
Scientific name
Galaxias neocaledonicus
Family
Galaxiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: New Caledonia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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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