The
Galaxiidae, also known by the anglicised name as
galaxiids, are a family of mostly small freshwater
fish in the
Southern Hemisphere. The majority of species live in
Southern Australia or
New Zealand, but some are found in
South Africa, southern
South America,
Lord Howe Island,
New Caledonia, and the
Falkland Islands. One of the galaxiid species, the
common galaxias (
Galaxias maculatus), is probably the most widely naturally distributed freshwater fish in the Southern Hemisphere. They are coolwater species, found in
temperate latitudes, with only one species known from
subtropical habitats. Many specialise in living in cold, high-altitude
upland rivers, streams, and lakes.