Mountain galaxis (Galaxias species) are a group of perhaps 7 species found at higher elevations in eastern Austalia. They are found from Queensland to South Australia. Galaxias olidus and Galaxias fuscus are in the group.

The Galaxiids (Gamily Galaxiidae) are a group of about 52 species of freshwater fish that are found only in the Southern Hemisphere. This family is represented in South Africa(1), Australia(11), Tasmania(15), New Zealand(22), and then east to southern South America(4). These species counts were found in a Hephaestus book on Australian freshwater fish. These are usually smaller fish less than 6 inches long. However, a New Zealand species can reach about 22-24 inches in length.

Some scientists place this family into a separate Osmeriformes order, while others note the relationship to the salmon group, and place this family into the Salmoniformes. These fish are scaleless, and generally are predators. The following genera are placed here: Aplochiton(2), Brachygalaxias(2), Galaxias(34), Galaxiella(3), Lovettia(1), Neochanna(6), and Paragalaxias(4). These species counts were found in a Hephaestus book on Australian freshwater fish.

Salmon Group, Order Salmoniformes, is found worldwide in oceans. It is also found in freshwater in many places in North America. A great number of the large game and sport fish are found in this order.

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

NEW SEARCH