Mountain and barred galaxia

Scientific name: Galaxias olidus and Galaxia fuscus

About

Using their climbing abilities, these fish clamber onto rocks in the splash zone. Here, they use heat from the surrounding rocks to regulate their body temperature, which helps them cope with the icy water around them.

This climbing ability also helps the species move upstream where possible, beyond the reach of introduced fish such as trout.

Where they are found

Look into pools or streams of the crisp mountain streams within the alpine resorts and you may glimpse tiny mountain and barred galaxias.

In Victoria and New South Wales, trout have isolated galaxias populations, confining them to the upper reaches of waterways.

Threats

Trout are not only predators of galaxias but also compete directly for food sources such as insects, worms and other invertebrates.

What we are doing

Restoring and protecting upper tributaries of alpine waterways supports these species and helps provide an important refuge for these hardy little fish.

Page last updated: 21/04/26