A small Tasmanian Threatened Freshwater Fish has been recognised with the issuing of a postal stamp and first day cover envelope, issued by Australia Post.

The Australia Post series of stamps and covers was produced to raise public awareness of the dire situation of these freshwater fish across Australia and their habitats.

Within Tasmania, there are thirteen species of freshwater fish that are listed as threatened. Amongst these, the Swan galaxias (Galaxias fontanus) is recognised as one of the most at risk species within Australia.

The threatened status of the Swan galaxias was highlighted during 2019 when a group of prominent freshwater fish researchers and fishery managers got together to examine the plight of freshwater fish across Australia.  From this gathering a list of twenty-two fish were highlighted as likely to become extinct within the next twenty years unless significant conservation actions were undertaken.  The Swan galaxias was one of these fish. The species is also recognised by the Commonwealth government as a priority threatened species under its’ Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032.

The Swan galaxias is a small freshwater fish that inhabits the upper sections of some streams on the east coast of Tasmania. It frequently lives in marginal habitats, often occupying only several hundred meters of stream. Unfortunately, the species has been restricted to these areas by the downstream presence of introduced trout and redfin perch that prey on them.

Significant conservation efforts have been undertaken over many years but the species remains endangered. However, since 2023, the Inland Fisheries Service in partnership with NRM South, the University of Tasmania and CSIRO have identified three trout free sections of suitable streams in northeast Tasmania, where translocated conservation populations of the Swan galaxias have been established. Early signs are these populations are establishing well and some breeding is occurring, making the long-term survival of this species more likely.

The series of stamps and envelopes are beautifully put together and feature illustrations by Dr Lindsay Marshall, showing the Swan galaxias on stamps, first day cover and postcard, available from Australia Post Endangered Freshwater Fishes.

The Inland Fisheries Service will continue to monitor the Swan galaxias over the coming years and hopefully one day, it may be safe from extinction.