Listed as ' Vulnerable' under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.

This species is totally protected and may not be taken without a permit.

A small stout species with a blunt head. Eyes are small, high on head and close together. Dorsal fin rounded and quite long, small anal fin. The tail is not forked.

Golden brown in colour with irregular brown speckled patches becoming less distinct down the sides, no obvious bands. The under- surface is pale yellow to white. Fins are a clear golden colour with black speckling along the rays

Grows up to about 60 mm in length, more commonly up to 40 mm.

Known only from Great Lake and Shannon and Penstock Lagoons in the Central Plateau. It shares the lakes with Shannon paragalaxias but is more common at greater depths than around the lake shores. Behaviour includes propping itself up with its pectoral fins, head elevated, and darting from place to place.

The whole life cycle is completed in fresh water. Spawning occurs in spring with females producing only 45-150 eggs of about 1.8-2.0 mm in diameter. Maturity is reached after the first year and some probably live for two years. Little else is known

Lives on the lake floor among cover which includes rocks, debris and vegetation. It is largely bottom-dwelling in habit

Consists of a wide variety of aquatic animals including various crustaceans and midge and caddis larvae.

Water level changes in Great Lake; the possible presence of redfin perch (Perca fluvatilis) in Great Lake; trout predation.