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

Listed as 'Endangered' under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

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

A small to medium sized freshwater fish with a broad flattened head. The dorsal fin originates above the vent and the tail fin is only slightly forked. The pectoral fins are small and fins have no markings. There are no scales present, as in all galaxias

Light olive-green on the back with paler silver white on the underside. The sides are covered with dense irregular bandings and small blotches

Generally around 100 mm in length, but may grow up to 135 mm

Found only in the Swan and Macquarie River catchments in eastern Tasmania, the species now lives only in small headwater streams that are inaccessible to predatory introduced species (brown trout; redfin perch). It is considered endangered due to its small and fragmented populations. The juveniles' preference to form schools in open water makes them particularly susceptible to predation from the introduced brown trout (Salmo trutta).

The Swan galaxias is a purely stream-dwelling species which spawns in spring within the normal adult habitat. The exact site of egg laying is unknown. The larvae develop over a five week period and prefer shallow, slow flowing water. Juveniles are pale and begin to develop adult colouration at around 35 mm in length

Before the introduction of brown trout, this species probably occurred throughout the Swan and Macquarie catchments. It is now found only above barriers which prevent the upstream movement of brown trout. It prefers streams with abundant instream and riparian cover

Swan galaxias are opportunistic carnivores, feeding on a wide range of terrestial and aquatic invertebrates

The main threat is invasion of introduced species into its stream habitat. Other threats include loss of instream habitat, loss of streamside vegetation and changes to water flows