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Story: Native plants and animals – overview

Galaxiid

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Galaxiid

These four species of galaxiids found only in Otago or Southland have all been recently described as new species. Clockwise from top left they are: flathead galaxias (Galaxias depressiceps), dusky galaxias (G. pullus), Eldon’s galaxias (G. eldoni) and roundhead galaxias (G. anomalus). There are at least 25 species of galaxiids (from the family name Galaxiidae) found in New Zealand. Galaxiids are a diverse group of mainly small fish that make up most of New Zealand’s native freshwater fish species. Nearly 90% of native freshwater fish species are found nowhere else.

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How to cite this page

Bob Brockie, Native plants and animals – overview – Alpine, wetland and coastal animals, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10605/galaxiid (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Bob Brockie, published 1 March 2009.