galaxias

Galaxias is a term used to refer to two related, but distinct, concepts in science. In astronomy, the English word galaxy (plural galaxies) derives from the Greek galaxias, meaning milky. A galaxy is a gravitationally bound system that contains stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter. Galaxies vary greatly in size and structure, from dwarf systems to giants, and come in forms such as spiral, elliptical, and irregular. The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our Solar System.

In biology, Galaxias is the name of a genus of freshwater fish in the family Galaxiidae. Species within this genus are native to the southern hemisphere, including New Zealand, southern Australia, and parts of South America. Galaxias species are typically small to medium-sized and many are diadromous or amphidromous, meaning they migrate between freshwater and brackish or marine environments during their life cycles. They occupy a range of freshwater habitats and can play significant roles as both predators and prey within their ecosystems.

Conservation status varies by species, but many Galaxias face threats from habitat modification, water extraction, competition and predation by introduced species, and other environmental pressures. In regions such as New Zealand and Australia, several Galaxias species are considered threatened or of special concern, leading to ongoing habitat protection, restoration efforts, and research to inform management strategies.