THREATENED SPECIES LISTING STATEMENT Swan , Galaxias fontanus Fulton 1978

Status Commonwealth Protection Act 6.5 cm 1992…………………..…………………………Endangered Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995……………………………………………..Endangered Description The Swan galaxias (Galaxias fontanus) is a native fresh- water that grows to about 130mm in length. Its colour fades from a dark olive-green on the back to grey- white on the underside. Pale brown speckling on the sides and back may form irregular bars and patches. The dorsal fin originates above the vent and the tail fin is slightly forked while the pectoral fins are relatively small and extend less than half way back to the pelvic fins. Known distribution of swan galaxias. The fins are unmarked and the head is broad and flatish (Fulton 1990). upper Macquarie catchment. Nine translocated popula- Swan galaxias in spring within the normal adult tions of Swan galaxias have been established in small habitat. Larval development lasts for at least five weeks within the Macquarie and Swan river catchments since 1987. and the larvae occupy shallow, slow flowing water in small schools. At around 35mm in length, the larvae The Swan galaxias is the only species of endemic Tasmanian begin to develop adult colouration. Typically, there are galaxiid that lives exclusively in freshwater streams. It is con- three year classes present in each population. Swan fined to the headwaters of small streams that are inaccessible galaxias are opportunistic carnivores and feed upon a to introduced fish species. Streams occupied by Swan galaxi- wide variety of land and aquatic (Fulton 1978, as are generally shallow with rocky bottoms and abundant Sanger and Fulton 1991). instream and streamside vegetation. Distribution and Habitat Important Locations The Swan galaxias is endemic to Tasmania, found only in All known populations of Swan galaxias, including translocat- the Swan River and Macquarie River catchments of east- ed populations, are essential for the long-term survival of the ern Tasmania. The current distribution of the Swan galax- species and require protection. ias is fragmented and it is not found within the distribu- tion of the introduced (Salmo trutta). All of the streams listed below are important for the survival of the species. The inability of Swan galaxias to survive in the presence of brown trout is shown by this distribution pattern. As Table 1: Swan galaxias populations: (n) natural population; the Swan galaxias was discovered after the widespread (t) - translocated population. colonisation of brown trout throughout the Swan and All locations are in eastern Tasmania. Macquarie , the original distribution of the species is unknown. However, it is likely that it was widespread Green Tier Creek (t) within the two catchments before trout colonisation. Rocka Rivulet (t) Coghlan Creek (t) After its description from the Swan River in 1978, four Upper Blue Tier Creek (t) natural populations of Swan galaxias were discovered in Blue Tier Creek (n) the headwaters of small of the Macquarie River Tullochgorum Creek (t) (Sanger and Fulton 1991). Two of these populations have St Pauls River (t) recently become extinct due to the spread of brown trout Upper Swan River (n) and redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis). Natural populations of Dukes River (t) Swan galaxias currently exist in the Upper Swan River Cygnet River (t) and in Blue Tier Creek and Tater Garden Creek in the Lost Falls Creek (t) Tater Ga