Alpine galaxias

{{Short description|Species of ray-finned fish}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}}

{{Speciesbox

| name = Alpine galaxias

| image = Alpine Galaxias imported from iNaturalist photo 176881150 on 16 February 2024.jpg

| image_caption =

| taxon = Galaxias paucispondylus

| authority = Stokell, 1938

| range_map = Galaxias paucispondylus (Alpine galaxias) - map.svg

| range_map_caption = Approximate known distribution of the alpine river galaxias on a map of the South Island

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

}}

The alpine river galaxias (Galaxias paucispondylus) is a galaxiid of the genus Galaxias, found only in mid to high elevation streams flowing from the Southern Alps of New Zealand. It grows to a length of up to 11 cm.

Alpine galaxias are speckled olive-green over a light brown base. The single large dorsal fin is rounded, and set back two thirds of the body length, the anal fin a little further back. The caudal fin is large and slightly forked. Like all galaxiids it lacks scales and has a thick, leathery skin covered with mucus.

They are non-diadromous and therefore do not have a marine phase and are not part of the whitebait catch.