Deposition of Galaxias fasciatus eggs with Galaxias maculatus eggs at a tidal site

Abstract

While measuring egg distribution of the intertidally spawning galaxiid fish, Galaxias maculatus, some noticeably larger eggs (1.86–2.2 mm diam.) were seen. In common with the smaller G. maculatus eggs (1.18–1.5 mm diam.), these eggs peaked in abundance at 300 mm above normal water level. The two sizes of eggs were distributed differently along a 1 m length of stream bank. A sample of the larger eggs was hatched and reared in the laboratory. They proved to be the eggs of Galaxias fasciatus, a forest‐stream dwelling species not normally found as adults in the intertidal zone.

Keywords:

• Galaxias fasciatus
• Galaxias maculatus
• spawning behaviour, terrestrial fish egg incubation