Fish Active at night

Climbing Galaxias

Galaxias brevipinnis

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The ultimate mountaineer of the underwater world, the Climbing Galaxias can scale vertical waterfalls using only its fins. This elusive, nocturnal native is a master of camouflage in the rocky streams of Australia and New Zealand.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Usually 15–18 cm (6–7 in), but can reach up to 28 cm (11 in) in length.

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Colors

Olive-brown to amber with dark, irregular mottling or chevron-like patterns; the belly is typically silvery-white.

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Key Features

Broad, fan-shaped pectoral fins positioned low on the body
Elongated, scaleless body with a thick, leathery skin
Dorsal and anal fins set far back toward the tail
Prominent, dark eyes with a gold-flecked iris

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active at night

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Peak hours 9 PM - 4 AM

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Season Spring and Summer

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Diet A generalist predator that feeds on aquatic insect larvae (such as mayflies and caddisflies) and terrestrial insects that fall onto the water's surface.

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Habitat Clear, fast-flowing upland streams and rivers with rocky bottoms and significant forest canopy cover.

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Where Does the Climbing Galaxias Live?

The Climbing Galaxias is native to the cool-temperate regions of the Southwestern Pacific, predominantly found throughout New Zealand and the coastal regions of southeastern Australia, including Tasmania. Their reach extends to several subantarctic islands such as the Auckland and Campbell Islands, as well as the Chatham Islands. While they are naturally amphidromous—migrating between freshwater and the sea—several landlocked populations have successfully established themselves in high-country lakes and reservoirs.

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2 Countries

1.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

NZ New Zealand

Marginal

AU Australia

Marginal

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Climbing Galaxias, also known as the Kōaro, is a marvel of the freshwater world, famous for its ability to scale vertical rock faces and waterfalls. Using its broad, textured pectoral fins like suction cups and undulating its body, it can navigate obstacles that would stop almost any other fish. This behavior allows them to colonize high-altitude streams and remote headwaters, often living above waterfalls that exclude predatory fish.

Predominantly nocturnal, these fish spend their daylight hours hidden deep within the crevices of rocky stream beds or tucked under submerged logs. They are solitary and can be quite territorial regarding their preferred hiding spots. Unlike many other galaxiids that swim in the open water column, the Climbing Galaxias is a bottom-dweller, staying close to the substrate where the current is slowest.

In the wild, they are highly sensitive to vibrations and light changes, darting into cover at the slightest sign of danger. While they are not traditionally social with humans, their presence is a key indicator of a healthy, forested stream ecosystem with high water quality.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Climbing Galaxias requires an underwater setup, such as a waterproof action camera or a specialized creek-cam. Because they are strictly nocturnal, your camera must have strong infrared (IR) night vision. Position the camera in a 'riffle'—a shallow section of the stream where water flows over rocks—as these fish often come out into these areas at night to hunt for drifting larvae. A side-on angle about 2-3 inches from the stream bed is ideal for capturing their unique profile.

To document their incredible climbing ability, look for wet, mossy rock faces or the concrete walls of small weirs during a rainy night in spring. This is when juveniles (whitebait) and even adults are most likely to be moving upstream. Secure your camera to a weighted tripod or a heavy stone to prevent it from being swept away by the current, and ensure the lens is clean of algae or silt before deployment.

Avoid using bright white lights, as these will cause the fish to flee immediately; instead, rely on the 940nm 'no-glow' IR LEDs found on high-end trail cameras. If your stream is in a backyard setting, creating a 'choke point' with stones can funnel the fish directly in front of your lens. Early spring is the most active time to witness migration patterns, while the height of summer is best for observing territorial feeding behavior in deep, cool pools.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Climbing Galaxias.

Banded Kōkopu

Banded Kōkopu have distinct thin, vertical pale stripes along their sides and are generally deeper-bodied.

Inanga (Common Galaxias)

Inanga have a forked tail and lack the large, specialized climbing fins of the G. brevipinnis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Climbing Galaxias are almost exclusively nocturnal. They emerge from their rocky hiding spots shortly after sunset to forage for insects and are most active during the darkest hours of the night, between 10 PM and 3 AM.

To attract these fish, you need a healthy, shaded stream with plenty of 'structure' like large rocks, submerged logs, and overhanging native plants. They require clean, oxygenated water, so maintaining a natural riparian buffer and avoiding chemical runoff is essential.

They are insectivores that focus on aquatic larvae like caddisflies and stoneflies. They also look upward to the surface for 'terrestrial drift'—ants, beetles, and flies that fall into the water from overhanging vegetation.

They are less common in urban areas due to their sensitivity to pollution and the need for rocky, fast-flowing water. However, if your suburban backyard borders a relatively clean, forested stream with natural flow, they may be present but hidden.

Look at the pectoral fins; in Climbing Galaxias, they are very large and held out flat against the surface. Unlike the Inanga (Common Galaxias), which has a forked tail and swims in mid-water, the Climbing Galaxias has a rounded tail and hugs the bottom.

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