| Common Name: |
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| Arthurs paragalaxias |
| Species Name: |
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| Paragalaxias mesotes |
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| Credits: |
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| Arthurs paragalaxias (P. mesotes) Photo: R. M. McDowall
From McDowall, R. M. (ed) 1996 Freshwater Fishes of South -Eastern Australia. Reed New Holland, Chatswood, NSW |
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| Conservation Status: |
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| Listed as 'Endangered' under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. |
| Commonwealth Conservation Status: |
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Listed as 'Endangered' under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 |
| Fishing Status: |
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| This species is totally protected and may not be taken without a permit. |
| Distingushing Features: |
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| A small, stout, bullet-shaped species. The head slopes to a blunt, long snout. Eyes are of moderate size, high on head, projecting somewhat above head profile. The tail is slightly forked or straight. |
| Colour: |
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| Colouration is variable, usually dark greenish-grey on back, extending down the sides as bands and patches. Background and belly are yellowish. Fins are clear with some colouring along the rays |
| Size: |
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| Grows to at least 80 mm in length. |
| General: |
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Arthurs paragalaxias occurs only in Woods and Arthurs lakes and the Lake River just below Woods Lake on the Central Plateau of Tasmania. The species appears to be more abundant in Arthurs Lake than in Woods Lake, where it is rarely seen. |
| Life Cycle: |
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The whole life cycle is completed in freshwater. Few other details are known, although spawning probably occurs in spring |
| Habitat: |
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| Occurs among aquatic plants, rocks, boulders and among marginal vegetation around lake shores |
| Diet: |
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| Consists of a wide range of aquatic animals, particularly midge and caddis larvae as well as various crustaceans and worms. |
| Why is it Threatened?: |
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| Trout predation; water level changes; potential introductions of other exotic fish |
Fact Sheet for Arthurs paragalaxias
