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Home , Australian grayling, Australian Smelt, Climbing galaxias, Darling River hardyhead, Estuary perch, Freshwater mullet

Whata guide tofish freshwater in NSW is this? A guide to in NSW

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1 Fish friendly farms a guide to freshwater fish in NSW

The ‘fish friendly farms’ team has produced Native Fish this guide to help you identify native novemaculeata fish that could be in your streams and understand what they need to survive and thrive. We have also included fish that Maximum fish length 60cm have been deliberately or Found in , streams, coastal consume other fish, and and brackish estuaries. Prefers . During summer months accidentally introduced into the thick cover of aquatic vegetation diet comes largely from terrestrial in rock and gravel-bottomed pools. sources, such as insects falling from the rivers and creeks of NSW. In Undertakes extensive migrations. riparian vegetation. Disappears A water level rise during winter from streams upstream of migration many cases, these ‘exotic’ fish have enhances breeding success. Adults barriers such as weirs. rapidly colonised the waterways, out- Australian grayling maraena competing our native fish and further adding to the problems they face. We hope this information will inspire you to help restore stream and streambank vegetation, as these actions will encourage native fish to return to your waterways. Maximum fish length 30cm Occurs on the South Coast in in brackish estuarine waters and catchments from the Clyde fish return upstream to breed. A southwards but occasionally found shy species that forms fast moving as far north as the Central Coast. shoals, feeding mainly on aquatic Habitat includes large and small algae, insects and micro-crustaceans. Guide to symbols clear coastal rivers with moderate Highly sensitive to handling and flows and gravel substrates. Spawns environmental change. Emits an These are species that are listed as threatened or in freshwater. and larvae are unusual -like odour when otherwise protected by law. It’s illegal to catch and washed downstream to mature freshly caught. keep any protected or threatened species, and any that are caught accidentally must be returned Australian smelt Retropinna semoni immediately to the water unharmed. There’s more information on page 21. In some cases, it may only be in certain places that the species is protected. If so, this is indicated beside the symbol.

These are pest species that have been listed as ‘Noxious’ by law. Noxious species can be Class 1, Maximum fish length 10cm 2 or 3. This is indicated beside the symbol. There’s Abundant and broad range throughout an important site for laying eggs. Diet more information on page 21. many coastal and inland drainage includes insects, micro-crustaceans and systems. Usually found in flowing algae. Preyed upon by many larger fish water. Forms large shoals near the species. Emits an unusual cucumber- surface or around vegetation and like odour when freshly caught and is woody debris. Aquatic vegetation is also very sensitive to handling.

2 3 Fish friendly farms a guide to freshwater fish in NSW

Blue catfish Arius graeffei gudgeon species sp.

Maximum fish length 50cm Maximum fish length 4.5cm

Occurs but is generally uncommon of relatively large fertilised eggs Range covers the Murray-Darling spawning. Females lay a clutch of in northern coastal drainages. Found for up to 8 weeks, during which River system and east coast streams eggs on a hard surface which the primarily in rivers and lagoons at the male does not feed. Diet is as far south as the Bega River. male guards against intruders and low altitude as well as coastal marine omnivorous, comprising small Usually found around aquatic fans with his pectoral fins. Eats waters and brackish estuaries. Males , prawns, vegetation, terrestrial vegetation in slow-moving, often aquatic , larvae display intensive parental care, with and aquatic insects, molluscs and turbid creeks or in still waters of and some plant matter. Up to 4 mouth brooding of a small number detritus. lakes and billabongs. Low flows different species which are difficult and rises above 21 ºC trigger to distinguish and often hybridise. Nematalosa erebi Climbing Galaxias brevipinnis

Maximum fish length 47cm Maximum fish length 27.8cm One of the most widespread and Lays up to several hundred thousand common fish of inland . semi-buoyant eggs. Forms large The largest Australian galaxiid. Found vegetation cover. A solitary, migratory Found in NSW throughout the shoals near the bottom, feeding on in clear flowing, shaded streams with fish renowned for the juveniles’ lower altitudes of the Murray- benthic algae, small invertebrates and rocks and boulders that drain to the unusual ability to climb vertical damp Darling system. Most common in decaying organic matter. Important east of the . Also surfaces (such as waterfalls) using the shallows of turbid, slow-flowing food source for larger fish. Very translocated to the Murray-Darling their large pectoral and pelvic fins as drainages, also found in large susceptible to oxygen depletion and system via the Snowy hydro scheme. suction cups. Feeds on a variety of floodplain lakes and desert bores. first to die when ephemeral More abundant amongst stones insects and amphipods at the surface Water flow increase triggers spawning. begin to dry up. and woody debris with good native and near the bottom.

Bullrout Notesthes robusta Common jollytail Galaxias maculatus

Maximum fish length 19cm Maximum fish length 30cm A bottom-dwelling fish usually found to breed. Fairly inactive species, The most widely distributed galaxiid fringing vegetation. Larvae stay at , within 50 km of the coast, in still spending the majority of its time species, most abundant at low returning as juveniles in large shoals to or slow-flowing freshwater streams stationary on the bottom or amongst elevations in still or gently-flowing coastal rivers. Feeds on a wide variety over rock, mud or gravel substrates. weeds waiting to ambush prey. Both streams, rivers and lakes that drain to of small aquatic and terrestrial insects. Predominantly located amongst adults and juveniles have venomous the coast. Endures a wide range of Important component of the whitebait aquatic vegetation or woody debris. spines on the dorsal, anal and pelvic salinity levels, permitting downstream industry. Known to disappear entirely Normally frequents fresh water but fins, so should not be handled, even migration in autumn to estuaries to from streams upstream of migration migrates downstream into estuaries when dead. , depositing eggs and sperm on barriers such as weirs. 4 5 Fish friendly farms a guide to freshwater fish in NSW

Congolli Pseudaphritis urvillii hardyhead amniculus

Maximum fish length 34cm Maximum fish length 5.5cm

Found in coastal drainages in the far inland where they are found in Range restricted to the upper on aquatic vegetation, attaching southeast of the state. Primarily slow-flowing freshwater streams. reaches of the Darling River system via an adhesive thread. Hatching a bottom dweller of brackish Diet consists of a variety of insects, in northern NSW. Usually found takes place 5 to 7 days later. Diet estuaries, often remains partly crustaceans, molluscs, worms and among vegetation margins or over consists of small aquatic insects and buried under logs, aquatic plants fish. Buries into the soft creek gravel substrate in slow-flowing, crustaceans. and amongst leaf litter. Breeds bottom and waits to ambush passing clear waters of small, creeks and *Only applies to fish found in the Hunter River in the ocean but the females are prey. Capable of rapid bursts of streams. Large eggs are deposited catchment known to embark on migrations swimming when disturbed. Dwarf flathead gudgeon Philypnodon macrostomus Cox’s gudgeon Gobiomorphus coxii

Maximum fish length 5cm Maximum fish length 19cm Widely distributed throughout of streams, lakes, reservoirs and Range covers most of the NSW have been seen to climb waterfalls coastal drainages, and patchily brackish estuaries. Lays tear-drop southeast coastal drainage, however and steep dam walls. Females along the and its shaped eggs, which attach to hard it is rarely located close to the lay eggs on rocky surfaces. The tributaries. Usually found over surfaces. Diet is carnivorous, sea. Commonly found in flowing fertilised eggs are then guarded and mud or rock substrates, dispersed feeding on a range of insects, larvae upland waters, often in rapids fanned by the male until they hatch. amongst plants or woody debris, and micro-crustaceans. adjacent to fringing vegetation. Diet consists of small aquatic in calm or slow-flowing water During upstream migration they insects, including larvae. Eastern freshwater ikei Crimson-spotted duboulayi

Maximum fish length 66cm

Maximum fish length 13cm Native to most freshwater reaches riparian vegetation, large boulders of the Clarence and Richmond and woody debris. Spawns when Range encompasses coastal reservoirs. Prefers slow-flowing river systems of north-eastern temperatures exceed 16 ºC, laying drainages east of the Great or still waters with dense aquatic NSW. Pristine, clear-flowing large adhesive eggs on logs and Dividing Range, from Hastings vegetation and woody debris. streams with rocks and deep holes rocks. Adults known to prey on River (NSW) north to the Burnett Mainly carnivorous diet, feeding on are prime habitat. Generally found other fish, , crustaceans and River (Qld). Inhabits a variety of aquatic invertebrates and terrestrial under or around in-stream cover . Larvae consume aquatic habitats, including rivers, creeks, arthropods that fall onto the water (eg. woody debris). Diverse habitat insects and . , drains, coastal lakes and surface. Popular aquarium fish. is vital for each life cycle stage, e.g. 6 7 Fish friendly farms a guide to freshwater fish in NSW

Empire gudgeon Hypseleotris compressa Flathead gudgeon Philypnodon grandiceps

Maximum fish length 10cm Maximum fish length 11.5cm

Common species in drainage capable of rapid swimming bursts if Found in coastal drainages, in attract a mate. Adhesive eggs are systems of the southeast coast and disturbed. Females lay a clutch of flowing or still water, more common deposited on rocks, sand or weeds sections of the Murray-Darling eggs on a hard surface (eg. woody at low elevations. Usually associated and when fertilised are guarded and system. Generally located in large, debris). The fertilised eggs are then with aquatic plants and large woody fanned by the male until hatching calm floodplain lakes, reservoirs and guarded and fanned by the male debris. During breeding, males takes place. Diet consists of aquatic brackish estuaries. Can be found until they hatch. Diet includes small establish territories and display their invertebrates and larvae. Popular motionless over mud bottoms, and fishes, crustaceans, tadpoles and brightly coloured body and fins to aquarium fish. often among aquatic vegetation, but insects.

Freshwater catfish Tandanus tandanus Estuary perch Macquaria colonorum

Maximum fish length 90cm Maximum fish length 75cm Wide natural distribution in the 200 cm in diameter built of pebbles or A common species in coastal lakes, laying numerous semi-buoyant eggs Murray-Darling River system and gravel. Fertilised eggs are guarded by estuaries and lower tidal reaches distributed over rocks and aquatic along the north coast, south to the the male and aerated by fanning with of rivers, normally favouring deep macrophytes. Primarily feeds at the Manning River. Coastal populations their fins. Generally bottom feeders, saline waters. Usually found surface and mid-water during winter south to the Shoalhaven are taking molluscs, crustaceans, insect amongst logs, rocks and other and at the bottom in summer. Diet introduced. Prefers sluggish or still larvae and small fishes. Susceptible to submerged objects. During winter consists of small prawns, , waters of rivers, creeks and billabongs. localised disturbances such as water they move to estuaries to breed, fish, molluscs and worms. Spawning takes place from late spring pollution due to small home ranges. until mid-summer following complex *Only applies to fish found west of the Great courtships, usually in nests up to Dividing Range

Firetail gudgeon Hypseleotris galii Freshwater herring Potamalosa richmondia

Max fish length 5.5cm Maximum fish length 32cm Commonly found at low elevations to 100, underneath rocks, logs, Range restricted to the coastal Mature adults migrate to estuarine in freshwater coastal drainages, in shells or leaves. The fertilised eggs drainages of NSW, particularly areas in winter for spawning, streams, ponds, swamps and drains, are then guarded and fanned by common in rivers north of . juveniles subsequently move back usually around aquatic vegetation. the male until they hatch. Adults Prefers clear to turbid, moderately upstream. A fast-swimming, shoal- During the warmer months the feed on insects, larvae and small flowing streams, also found in forming fish, whose diet consists of female lays eggs, in clutches of up crustaceans. sluggish lowland rivers and estuaries. worms, small crustaceans and insects.

8 9 Fish friendly farms a guide to freshwater fish in NSW

Freshwater Trachystoma petardi Long-finned eel Anguilla reinhardtii

Maximum fish length 80cm Maximum fish length 165cm

Found in drainages of the east coast runs from late summer to early An abundant species in east coast that the adult eels perish. Immature between Bega River (NSW) and autumn. Feeds mainly on algae and drainages, inhabits lakes and swamps, eels are capable of climbing vertical Burnett River (Qld). Generally biofilms, also consumes decaying but more common in flowing rivers. walls, and adults and juveniles can occurs in small shoals in the deep organic material and invertebrates. Mature adults undertake extensive travel overland on wet or damp pools of slow-flowing sections of Opportunistic , preys largely annual downstream migrations to ground. Mostly active at night, but the river. Also found in estuaries on shrimps and yabbies, also known the Coral Sea for spawning. Eels sometimes feeds during the day on and coastal during spawning to eat freshwater molluscs and fish. spawn only once in their lifetime, young waterbirds, fish, insects and and after spawning it is presumed molluscs. Macquaria ambigua Macquarie perch Macquaria australasica

Maximum fish length 76cm Maximum fish length 46cm Natural range throughout the (up to 2000 km) to spawn when Murray-Darling Basin, except at water temperature reaches 23 A quiet, furtive species, endemic and reservoirs, favouring rocky higher altitudes. Habitat varies ºC and water levels rise. Small, throughout the cooler, upstream habitat in flowing water. Spawning from clear, rocky headwaters transparent pelagic larvae drift reaches of the Murray-Darling occurs in shallow upland streams to more turbid, slow-moving downstream with the flood waters. Basin. Also known from some with females laying 50,000 to rivers and billabongs, amongst Opportunistic carnivore, largely major coastal drainages, including 100,000 eggs which sink between fallen timber, undercut banks preys on fish in winter and yabbies the Hawkesbury, Shoalhaven and the gravel and stones. Diet mainly or rocky ledges. Migratory in summer, also known to eat Georges catchments. Often found consists of crustaceans and benthic species, travelling far upstream freshwater molluscs. in cool, clear waters of rivers, lakes invertebrates, particularly insects.

Hyrtl’s tandan Neosilurus hyrtlii Marjorie’s hardyhead Craterocephalus marjoriae

Maximum fish length 40cm Maximum fish length 9.7cm Occurs in the upper Darling River small crustaceans and worms. Prey system, in a variety of habitats is located using sensory barbels Common in coastal drainages of body colour turns bright yellow including still or flowing streams, around their mouth. Sharp northern NSW. Generally found during the summer breeding season. turbid billabongs and pools. Shoal- venomous spines are located at the in large schools amongst aquatic Known to ‘gather’ food and sand forming species that swims into dorsal and pectoral fins, and must vegetation, in shallow water of clear from the bottom, and also feed on the shoreline shallows at night. be handled with caution. flowing streams, often over sand or aquatic insects, micro-crustaceans, Diet consists of insects, molluscs, gravel substrates. The usually dull fish eggs and algae.

10 11 Fish friendly farms a guide to freshwater fish in NSW

Mountain galaxias Galaxias olidus Murray jollytail Galaxias rostratus

Maximum fish length 13.5cm Maximum fish length 12cm

Found in moderate to high elevations or attach to in-stream debris and A shoaling species endemic to the cover provided by woody debris, in both coastal and inland rivers. boulders. Consumes a wide variety Murray-Darling system. More riparian and aquatic vegetation. Prefers clear pools in small, flowing of terrestrial and aquatic insects, likely to be encountered at lower Spawns in small pools laying streams with cobble, gravel or sand crustaceans, molluscs and worms. elevations inhabiting still or gently- spherical, slightly adhesive eggs that substrate, often found amongst rocks Revealed to be a cryptic species flowing waters of lakes, lagoons, settle to the bottom. Feeds primarily or logs. Adults breed in spring in complex of up to 12 different species billabongs and backwaters. Prefers on small crustaceans and aquatic fast-flowing riffle areas. Adhesive which are difficult to distinguish, habitat with abundant overhead insects. eggs drift and lodge in the substrate Galaxias spp. Murray-Darling rainbowfish Melanotaenia fluviatilis Maccullochella peelii

Maximum fish length 9cm Maximum fish length 180cm Occurs in the middle and and often found congregating in Australia’s largest freshwater fish. woody debris (87% are found within lower sections of the Murray, small schools around dense aquatic Wide natural distribution covers one metre of a ) or overhanging Murrumbidgee and Macquarie vegetation, or submerged logs and most of the Murray-Darling system. vegetation. Seasonal high flows rivers and several other tributaries branches. Essentially carnivorous; Commonly found in slow-flowing, and temperature trigger upstream of the Darling River. Inhabits a feeds on aquatic invertebrates and turbid rivers and creeks at low spawning migration. When waters variety of habitat in streams, rivers, terrestrial arthropods which may fall elevations, also fast-moving, clear, recede, returns to the same exact billabongs and swamps. Prefers onto the water surface and is also rocky upland creeks. Prefers deep log or hollow. Feeds on other fish, slow-moving clear still waters known to consume algae. holes near in-stream cover such as crustaceans and molluscs. Olive perchlet Ambassis agassizii

Murray hardyhead Craterocephalus fluviatilis

Maximum fish length 8cm

Maximum fish length 7.2cm Natural range includes tributaries of congregating among aquatic the Murray-Darling River system, vegetation in backwaters. Nocturnal Naturally distributed in the Murray months, laying relatively large coastal drainages of northern NSW. feeder preying largely on micro- and Murrumbidgee River systems. adhesive eggs that attach to aquatic Habitats include vegetated margins crustaceans, insects, small arachnids, Usually only persists in saline vegetation. Diet consists of algae, of slow-flowing, warm waters in algae and very small fish. wetlands, among shallow aquatic small aquatic insects and crustaceans. rivers, creeks, ponds, reservoirs, vegetation particularly the species Short life span of just 12 months. drainage ditches and swamps. May *Only applies to fish found west of the Great Ruppia. Spawns during the warmer occur locally in large numbers, Dividing Range 12 13 Fish friendly farms a guide to freshwater fish in NSW

Ornate rainbowfish Rhadinocentrus ornatus Gadopsis marmoratus

Maximum fish length 8cm Maximum fish length 35cm Range restricted to altitudes above 150 undercut banks. Spawns from spring Restricted range in coastal stained waters, amongst the cover metres in the Murray-Darling system. to early summer, lays adhesive yellow- drainages extending north of submerged roots and woody Inhabits a variety of environments orange eggs in hollow logs or rock from Coffs Harbour. Occupies debris. Omnivorous diet, feeds on from small streams, and fast-flowing crevices. Secretive, bottom-dwelling sandy-bottom creeks, lakes and insects and their aquatic larvae and rivers, to murky, slow-moving streams fish. It consumes a significant amount ponds or streams with low flows. algae. Has been known to survive and dams. Prefers habitat with of terrestrial invertebrates and also eats Predominantly found in sandy, water temperatures down to 8 ºC. abundant cover provided by woody crustaceans, molluscs and small fishes. coastal ‘wallum’ areas in tannin- Popular aquarium fish. debris, aquatic macrophytes and *Only applies to fish found in the Snowy River

Oxleyan pygmy perch Nannoperca oxleyana Sea mullet cephalus

Maximum fish length 7.5cm Maximum fish length 75cm

Endemic from south-eastern Qld to with plenty of shelter in the form Occurs around the entire mainland Undertakes spawning migrations north-eastern NSW. Found in dune of undercut, root-filled banks or coast of Australia and northern out to sea. Timing of the run varies lakes, small, slow-flowing streams dense aquatic vegetation. Mainly in large roving shoals. with latitude, tending to leave and rivers with sandy bottoms and carnivorous, feeding on , Primarily found in marine waters estuaries during periods of prevailing weedy or reedy margins. Favours water fleas and aquatic insects as but commonly found in estuaries, offshore winds. Forms an important clear, tannin-stained often acidic well as algae. brackish coastal lakes and lower component of the commercial creeks in coastal ‘wallum’ country, freshwater reaches of rivers. fishing industry.

Purple-spotted gudgeon Mogurnda adspersa Short-finned eel Anguilla australis

Maximum fish length 12cm Maximum fish length 110cm Formerly distributed throughout and rocks. Spawns in summer when Found in freshwater lakes, swamps, if temperatures fall below 10 ºC, the lower to mid slopes of the females produce successive batches Murray-Darling drainage system. of 280-1300 elongate, transparent and streams of temperate south- burying into the soft creek bed. Also found patchily in far north eggs that are deposited on rocks, eastern coastal drainages. Final Known to move overland through coast streams. Occupies a variety logs or other solid debris. Feeds on life cycle stage spent at sea on a damp grass to find other streams. of environments including rivers, a wide range of organisms including spawning run, possibly triggered Juveniles are also able of climb creeks and billabongs. Prefers quiet tadpoles, worms and small fish but by phases of the moon, water damp vertical walls. Nocturnal, or slow-flowing reaches with shelter also known to consume algae, pollen temperature and water level rise. opportunistic carnivore, with a provided by submerged structures and miscellaneous forms of organic Juvenile glass eels then migrate diverse diet of aquatic organisms. such as woody debris, vegetation matter. back upstream. Becomes dormant 14 15 Fish friendly farms a guide to freshwater fish in NSW

Short-headed lamprey Mordacia mordax Southern pygmy perch Nannoperca australis

Maximum fish length 44cm Maximum fish length 8.5cm Relatively common in streams, suck the blood of fish. Undertakes A wide natural range, incorporating overhanging riparian vegetation and estuaries and coastal seas between upstream spawning migrations most of the lower reaches of the aquatic plants. Spawns in response the Hawkesbury and Gawler Rivers. in fast-flowing section of rivers. Murrumbidgee and Murray River to rising water temperatures. Males Has also penetrated far inland in Moves mainly at night. Spends systems. Inhabits weedy, slow- become territorial, and display more the Murray River. Adulthood spent around 3 years in its filter-feeding flowing or calm waters, lakes, shallow vivid colouration to attract a mate. at sea or in estuaries where they larval stage. wetlands and channels. Diet includes small crustaceans, Prefers areas with cover provided by insects and larvae.

Silver perch Spangled perch Leiopotherapon unicolor

Maximum fish length 50cm Maximum fish length 25cm One of the most widespread native dispersal abilities, recorded travelling Natural distribution covers most of debris and vegetation. It is also freshwater fish, particularly in the up to 16 km in 2 hours along the Murray-Darling River system, found in fast-flowing, turbid warmer reaches of the Murray- wheel ruts during thunderstorms! excluding the cool, upper reaches. waters. Increased water flows Darling River system and temperate Upstream spawning migrations Also found in several eastern and temperatures (over 23ºC) rivers of the far north coast. triggered by summer floods and coastal river systems. Inhabits trigger long upstream spawning Occupies a range of water bodies, temperatures exceeding warm, sluggish, standing waters migrations. Omnivorous diet. including main river channels, sandy 26 ºC. Opportunistic omnivore; such as nutrient rich floodplains, Adults and juveniles feed on lowland creeks and man-made feeds on small aquatic insects, with cover provided by woody insects, molluscs, worms and algae. lakes. Adults have remarkably good crustaceans, algae and molluscs.

Southern blue-eye Pseudomugil signifer Striped gudgeon Gobiomorphus australis

Maximum fish length 8.8cm Maximum fish length 17.5cm

Shoal-forming species found in the in clear forest streams. During Found in most southeast coastal result of the newly hatched larvae majority of the east coast drainages breeding the males greatly enhance drainages but is more common at being swept downstream, migrating of Australia. Named for the their coloration patterns, and erect low elevations. Usually in muddy back upstream later in life. Adults brilliant blue ring surrounding its their ornate fins in a display of waterholes and slow-moving creeks, consume aquatic insects and the eye. Habitat can vary widely from courtship. Primarily consume insect generally near submerged rocks, pest species Gambusia holbrooki brackish coastal waters in mangrove- larvae and micro-crustaceans. logs and vegetation. Juveniles are (mosquitofish). lined creeks to pure fresh water commonly found in estuaries as a

16 17 Fish friendly farms a guide to freshwater fish in NSW cod Maccullochella macquariensis Introduced Fish

Brown trout Salmo trutta

Maximum fish length 85cm

Once widespread in the upper as in pools mixed with rapids and Maximum fish length 90cm reaches of the Murray-Darling cascades. Woody debris provides River system. Now found in important habitat and a place for Popular freshwater angling fish, Undertakes upstream spawning the Murray River, where there’s spawning. Inclined to remain native to the northern hemisphere. migrations in winter. Spawning different substrate among in-stream at one site and have small home First stocked in Australian waterways occurs over gravel substrates; the cover of woody debris and in Seven ranges. Carnivorous diet; feeding in the 1860s. Wide distribution fertilised eggs settle in depressions in Creeks area in narrow streams with mainly on other fish, crustaceans, throughout cooler waters, west of the the gravel, which are then covered in rock, gravel and sand substrates and aquatic insects and molluscs. Great Diving Range, due to stocking gravel by the female. Diet consists and migration. Generally found in of aquatic and terrestrial insects, fast flowing streams and clear lakes. molluscs, small fishes and crustaceans. Two-spined blackfish Gadopsis bispinosus Cyprinus carpio

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Maximum fish length 32cm Maximum fish length 120cm A usually solitary, bottom-dwelling, cobbles. Also found in forested nocturnally active fish confined to catchments with low sedimentation Native to Asia, first introduced competes with native fish for food, a fairly small area on the southern from soil erosion. Juveniles often into Australia in the mid 1800s habitat and breeding sites. Prolific slopes of the Great Dividing Range, form large groups among leaf and undertook rapid colonisation, breeders; large, mature females especially throughout inland can produce up to 1.5 million eggs. in the upper reaches of the Murray litter and wood debris. Feeds on catchments during the 1970s. Diverse diet of molluscs, seeds, River system. Inhabits cool, clear terrestrial invertebrates and aquatic Commonly associated with disturbed crustaceans, plant matter or detritus upland streams with in-stream insect larvae. habitat, slow-flowing or stagnant sucked from the bottom. Considered cover, such as boulders, gravel or waters, with abundant aquatic a ‘noxious’ species in NSW. vegetation. Actively and successfully Un-specked hardyhead Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum fulvus Gambusia Gambusia holbrooki

1

Maximum fish length 7.8cm Maximum fish length 6cm A shoal-forming species widespread water, amongst aquatic vegetation and throughout the Murray-Darling Basin, over sand, gravel or mud substrate. Native to North and Central America. females give birth to live young several but most common in the Murray Spawning occurs when temperatures It was introduced as an aquarium times a year, producing 50-300 young River. Often found in calm or gently- exceed 24 ºC. Adhesive eggs are laid fish and then into natural waterways at a time. An aggressive fish, known flowing lowland rivers, small streams, over rocks, crevices and aquatic plants. as a biological control for mosquito to prey upon the eggs and juveniles of lakes, ponds and billabongs. Generally Diet consists of small invertebrates populations (which was proven native fish and species. observed in the margins of shallow and algae. ineffective). Prefers warm, slow- *Class 1 noxious species, except in the Greater flowing waters. High reproductive rate; Sydney Region where it is Class 3. 18 19 Fish friendly farms a guide to freshwater fish in NSW

Goldfish Carassius auratus Redfin perch Perca fluviatilis

1

Maximum fish length 40cm Maximum fish length 45cm

Popular ornamental aquarium fish, in slow-flowing waters, can tolerate Native to Europe, released into vegetation. Diverse diet consisting native to eastern Asia. Introduced high temperatures, high turbidity, Australian waterways in the mid of crustaceans, molluscs and small into Australia in the 1860s and and low oxygen concentrations. 1800s as an angling species. Prefers native fish species, including subsequently released into the Competes actively with native fish cooler, still, or slow-flowing waters and juvenile natural environment through for food and habitat. Diet includes with abundant aquatic vegetation. Murray cod. Also carries the carelessness and its use as live bait. plant matter, organic material and Extremely productive fish; spawning highly infectious viral disease EHN Now widespread throughout most small crustaceans. occurs in spring when females (epizootic haematopoietic necrosis), NSW catchments. Generally found lay thousands of eggs in long which is lethal to several native fish gelatinous ribbons on logs and species. Oriental weatherloach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

1 More information on listed species

Rules about threatened and protected species are complex and the Maximum fish length 25cm species listed in these categories also change. For more details visit Native to Asia and Europe. can tolerate a wide range of www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/species-protection or contact your Introduced into Australia as an temperatures, salinity and oxygen local Fisheries NSW office. aquarium fish. Thoughtless release levels. Can breathe air if needed into waterways, escapees from and travel overland to colonise It’s illegal to catch and keep any protected or threatened ornamental ponds and live bait new waterways. Competes with species, and any that are caught accidentally must be have resulted in a well established native fish for food and habitat, and returned immediately to the water unharmed. To reduce wild population. Highly invasive, potentially feeds on native fish eggs. harm to fish being returned to the water, follow these basic guidelines: Oncorhynchus mykiss Minimise the length of time the fish is out of the water. Handle fish carefully and support the weight of its body. Take care to revive fish upon release if they appear exhausted. If there is any water current, hold the fish facing towards the current until it starts to show signs of recovery. Maximum fish length 77.5cm

Native to coastal drainages of Upstream spawning migrations western North America and undertaken in winter to suitable The Class 1 noxious listing prohibits sale and possession. eastern Siberia. First introduced gravel substrate sites, where Class 2 prohibits sale but allows possession in fully- into Australia in the 1890s for fertilised eggs are protected and contained aquaria. recreational angling from New covered in gravel mounds to mature. Class 3 allows sale and possession. Zealand derived stock. Generally Broad diet consists of aquatic It is strongly recommended that noxious species are not prefers cool, clear, habitat, and terrestrial insects, molluscs, returned to the water. also found in fast flowing rivers crustaceans and small fishes. and streams with gravel substrates. Popular fish. 20 21 Fish friendly farms a guide to freshwater fish in NSW Glossary

Amphipod: small -like with a thin body. E.g. water flea. Benthic: relating to the bottom of a water body (sea, lake or river). Brackish: slightly salty, as a result of fresh and salt water mixing. Carnivorous: feeding mainly on the flesh of other . : tiny crustacean that lives among and is an important food source for many fish. Crustacean: freshwater or saltwater with no backbone (), jointed legs and hard shell made of chitin. E.g. crab, Published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, May 2015. lobster, crayfish, water flea. ISBN 978 1 74256 259 9 Detritus: organic matter formed by the decomposition of animals and plants. First published in 2007. This 2015 reprint is supported by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts and North West Local Land Services, through Elongate: narrow, the length is greater than the width. funding from the Australian Government. Endemic: unique to a particular geographic region. Acknowledgments: Ephemeral: short-lived waterway which flows after a high rainfall event. Species text adapted from Allen et al. (2002), McDowall (1996) and Invertebrate: an animal without a backbone. Morris et al. (2001). Maximum fish lengths from McDowall (1996). Larvae: an early life stage which still carries a yolk sac and differs Images of Oncorhynchus mykiss and Salmo trutta by John Gasparotto greatly in appearance and behaviour than the adult form. Image of Nannoperca australis by Luke Pearce Macrophyte: a water plant large enough to be observed with the All other fish images © Gunther Schmida naked eye. Design by Graphiti Design Studio (www.gdstudio.com.au) Mollusc: an invertebrate with a soft unsegmented body wholly or partly enclosed by a shell. © State of through NSW Department of Primary Industries (2015). You may copy, distribute, display, download and Nocturnal: active by night. otherwise freely deal with this publication for any purpose, provided that Omnivorous: eating both animal and plant foods. you attribute the department as the owner. However, you must obtain Pectoral: found on either side of the body just behind the gill permission if you wish to charge others for access to the publication opening. (other than at cost); include the publication in advertising or a product Planktonic: floating in the water column and carried by the for sale; modify the publication; or re-publish the publication on a currents. website. You may freely link to the publication on the NSW Department Riparian: land which adjoins, directly influences, or is influenced by of Primary Industries website. a body of water. Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based Reach: a stretch or portion of a river usually between bends. on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (April 2015). Spawn: to release sex cells (eggs and sperm) directly into the water. However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of Substrate: non-living material serving as the waterway bed or basis the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date upon which an organism lives or grows. and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of New South Wales Department of Primary Industries or the user‘s Turbid: muddied, cloudy, caused by suspended matter, usually independent adviser. The distribution maps are indicative of historical sediments or the result of run-off. range of each fish species only. Users should note many of these ranges Venomous: produces venom, extremely poisonous or injurious. are now greatly contracted. They cannot be considered comprehensive Wallum: Banksia dominated sandy coastal heath. and may contain errors and omissions. NSW DPI and its employees Zooplankton: tiny, usually microscopic animal, suspended or disclaim liability for any act done or omission made on the basis of the swimming in water. information in the map and any consequence of such acts or omissions. 22 23 To discover more about native fish species:

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. (2002). Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth.

McDowall, R.M., (1996). Freshwater fishes of south- eastern Australia. Reed Books, Sydney.

To learn more about the basic biology, distribution and conservation status of threatened and potentially threatened species of NSW:

Morris, S.A., Pollard, D.A., Gehrke, P.C. & Pogonoski, J.J. (2001). Threatened and Potentially Threatened Freshwater Fishes of Coastal New South Wales and the Murray-Darling Basin. NSW Fisheries, Sydney.

If you find a threatened or protected native fish on your property please report it to the NSW DPI protected and threatened species sighting program on 02 4916 3877.

If you would like to know how you can improve fish habitat and help our native fish species contact your nearest NSW DPI office or visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries.

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