50 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



losing the adipose fin on the back of the tail which is so 

 characteristic of the true Salmonoid. In Tasmania, these 

 fishes are often familiarly known under the designation of 

 "Jollytails." 



All of these Minnows are well-adapted for keeping in 

 the private aquarium ; and as their habits are so interesting 

 and they always look so bright and "cheery," I would cer- 

 tainly advise all who can, to partially stock their aquaria 

 with one or more species of them. (In this connection I 

 might add that Mr. Albert Gale, who has been an enthusi- 

 astic keeper of the aquarium for many years, has recently 

 succeeded in transporting to Sydney from their cold native 

 waters in the Monaro district of New South Wales, a few 

 examples of the beautiful Kosciusko Minnow and has, since, 

 kept them alive at his residence, Stanmore, Sydney, where 

 they were flourishing at the time that I saw them.) 



About 10 species of Minnows are known at present from 

 our waters, amongst which, the following at least are de- 

 serving of mention: The Sydney Minnow (Galaxias 

 scriba), the Mountain Minnow (Galaxias coxii) the Kos- 

 ciusko Minnow or "Kosciusko Trout" (Galaxias findlayi), 

 and the Tasmanian Minnow (Galaxias truttaceus}. 



The Sydney Minnow is a long, attenuated fish ; 

 very bright-looking, semi-transparent, and dusted over with 

 small dark spots. It is found in great abundance in most 

 of the small streams or creeks on the eastern slope of the 

 County of Cumberland, swimming at the surface. 



It commonly attains a length of 6 to 7 inches. 



The Mountain Minnow principally frequents the 

 watercourses of the highlands, on, and in the vicinity 

 of, the mountains of the Great Dividing Range in New 

 South Wales, excepting the southern portion. It is a much 

 stouter-looking fish than the last-mentioned ; also, more 

 Trout-like, owing to the presence of a number of vertical 

 stripes or bars on each side of the body. 



This species reaches a length of about 7 to 8 inches. 



It was originally described by Sir William Macleay in 

 the year 1880, from streams on Mount Wilson. 



The Kosciusko Minnow, more familiarly known 

 as "Kosciusko Trout," is a much smaller species than either 



