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

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

A small freshwater fish with a chunky build and a blunt head. The body is tubular and the upper and lower jaws are about equal. The tail is rounded and, as in all galaxias, there are no scales

A light brown colour on the back with irregular small spots and flecks over the body. The stomach area often appears pale orange to yellow with a light belly.

Known to reach 105 mm, but seldom more than 70 mm in length.

The swamp galaxias is found only in the south-west of Tasmania in swamps and streams in the Lake Pedder area (Gordon and Huon catchments). Whilst this species was initially abundant after the flooding of Lake Pedder in the early 1970's, it has declined in recent years and no longer occurs in the impoundment itself. Competition and predation from brown trout (Salmo trutta) and climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis), as well as the loss of habitat, are likely to be be contributing to these observed declines.

The swamp galaxias completes its life cycle in freshwater. Spawning probably occurs in spring with eggs taking 26-30 days to hatch. Hatchlings are around 7 mm long with metamorphosis to juveniles taking place when they are 30-45 days old and about 20 mm in length. Males may mature at around one year old, whilst females probably do not mature until 2 years of age and about 55 mm in length.

Occurs in swamps, pools, backwaters of streams among rocks and vegetation.

Diet consists of terrestrial insects and aquatic insects and crustaceans.

Loss of original habitat; ongoing predation and competition from brown trout (Salmo trutta) and climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis); the potential for introduction of the voracious redfin perch (Perca fluvatilis) into Lake Pedder