lake eyre 1 Rob Wager & Peter J. Unmack Rob Wager Department of Primary Industries Queensland Fisheries Service fish of the lake eyre the lake fish of of central catchment australia lake eyre 2 Queensland Fisheries Management Authority or theirrelevant authority. state thelocalofficefisheries management shouldcontact oftheQueenslandBoating andFisheriesPatrol orthe Changes inthesemanagement arrangements may occurfrom timetotime.Persons withany questionsregarding NOTE: The managementarrangements described inthisdocumentwere accurateatthetimeofpublication. Acknowledgments for thephotographsprovided by G.E.Schmida andRoss Felix. Committee. Opinionsexpressed arethoseoftheauthors. This documenthasbeenpreparedby theauthors onbehalfoftheQueenslandFisheriesLake EyreZonal Advisory Disclaimer Industries,Queensland,andQueenslandFisheriesManagement © DepartmentofPrimary Authority 2000 management andfishhabitatissues. stocking groups, localgovernment, othergovernment agencies,andotherbodieswithaninterestinfisheries ZAC membership isdiverse, groups,tourism,fish representing fishergroupsandassociations,conservation two-wayfisheries habitatissues;avital information flow between fisheriesmangersandthecommunity. The Lake EyreZAC by was established theQFMAtoprovide: aforum for discussiononregionalfisheriesand issues relatingtofisheriesmanagementandfishhabitats. Committees (ZAC) were setuptoadvisetheQueenslandFisheriesManagement Authority (QFMA)onlocal In recognitionofthedecentralisednature offishingactivitiesinQueensland,tenregionallybasedZonal Advisory LAKE EYREZONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE lake eyre 3 7 8 8 9 9 17 12 13 13 16 16 19 19 18 20 (OR AMBASSIDAE) – GlassfishesAMBASSIDAE) (OR 31 AENIIDAE – RainbowfishesAENIIDAE 28

Lake Eyre Lake Dalhousie Springs Supergroup Eyre Springs in the Lake Edgbaston SpringsElizabeth Springs of fishes Rains Fish living undergroundor just living in mud Hibernation, aestivation 14 14 17 14 15 16 Lake Eyre Drainage DivisionLake Drainage DivisionBulloo-Bancannia 12 11 CLUPEDEIDE – HerringFamily – Smelts RETROPINNIDAE Family – Eel-tailed Catfish PLOTOSIDAE Family – HardyheadATHERINIDAE Family MELANOTFamily 23 21 22 26 Family PSEUDOMUGILIDAE – Blue-eyes PSEUDOMUGILIDAE Family CHANDIDAE Family 29 Family PERCICHTHYIDAE – Cods and Perches PERCICHTHYIDAE Family – GruntersTERAPONTIDAE Family – Gudgeons ELEOTRIDIDAE Family – Gobies GOBIIDAE Family – Livebearers POECILIIDAE Family Carps – Cyprinidae Family 31 33 35 41 38 42

ARTIFICIAL HABITATS – FLOWING BORES, FARM DAMS AND IMPOUNDMENTS DAMS FARM BORES, – FLOWING HABITATS ARTIFICIAL OR FICTION? FACT 15 THE LAKE EYRE REGION OF AND FAUNA FLORA AQUATIC PLANTS AQUATIC 17 LAKES INTRODUCTION Eyre region the Lake About Climate Landscapes Great Artesian Basin Vegetation THE LAKE EYRE REGION OF HABITATS AQUATIC AND CREEKSRIVERS SPRINGS 10 7 10 INVERTEBRATES AND REPTILESFROGS BIRDS WATER FISH SPECIES IDENTIFYING FISH FISH DESCRIPTIONS 18 21 contents lake eyre 4 contents BU H UHR 60 51 51 50 48 AUTHORS ABOUT THE 48 APPENDIX 46 GLOSSARY Scientic papersandotherarticles Books FURTHER READING ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Artesian Springs Rare and Threatened SpeciesandCommunity Water Resource Development Land Management Commericial Fishing 44 Fish Stocking Noxious and Translocated Species Research onfish Illegal Fishing Fishing Regulations Fishing MANAGEMENT OFFISHES, WETLANDS AND CATCHMENTS 50 56 51 48 47 47 47 45 45 45 44 lake eyre 5 lake eyre 6

introduction the focus ofthispublication. The fishesfromthisLake Eyre Region are grouping offish(33native speciesinall). acharacteristicthis regioncontains had connectionstoLake Eyre.Furthermore, Region, sincemostwaterbodies have, or termed thiseasternportiontheLake Eyre Broken x). Hillinthesouth (fig. We have Quilpie, andfromMtIsainthenorthto the Finke River easttotheBullooRiver at localities. The eastern portionextends from perch hasbeenrecordedherefromfive water resources.Onespecies,spangled scant because ofitsremotenessandvery area islargelyunexplored for fishespartially Pilbara in Western Australia. This massive River near Alice Springstotheedgeof inland drainagesfromwest oftheFinke fishes. The western portionincludesthe regionsbasedonits separated intotwo Australia’s aridareascanbebroadly climatic conditions. reaches theseaunderpresent Drainage fromthesedesertareasnever around 70%beingconsideredarid. driest continent(after with Antarctica) is noexception. Australia isthesecond and ofaquatichabitats, diversity Australia asurprising deserts oftheworld contain deserts isnoexception tothis.Most earth, andtheaquaticwildlife livingin adapted toextreme environments on water. Over time,plantsandanimalshave which withoutpermanent cannotsurvive especially theaquaticwildlife, much of much ofthewildlife found indeserts, These scantwater resourcesmaintain indeed exist, albeit insmallquantities. desert beingalack ofwater, itdoes ofa deserts. Despitethedefiningquality Rarely dopeopleassociatefisheswith definitions ofunusualwords. the endtoassistreaderswith isprovidedsome species. at A glossary enable readerstomoreeasilyidentify information andcolourphotographswill identification. Fishdistribution,habitat togetapositive be necessary magnifying lens,oreven dissection,may exist, andcloserstudy usinga recognisable features donotalways species. Unfortunately, easily identifying features arenotedfor each a family. To alleviate thisdifficulty, unique todistinguishspecieswithin when trying species). Readers may bechallenged their scientificnames(by genusand are listedalphabetically, accordingto each family. eachWithin family, species number directsreaderstothesectionon be identifiedtotheir family. A page section akey isprovided toallow fishto groups. At thebeginningoffish evolutionaryfamily relationshipsofthe according tocurrently accepted The fishesarepresentedinorder additional information ifthey wish. and willallow thereadertoobtain region arepresentedinthebibliography, references tofishesfromthis pertaining species aresurprisinglywell known. Most central Australian fishes.However, some as little research hasbeenconductedon conducted outsidetheLake Eyre Region information isoften basedonstudies species for which itisknown. This and breedingbiologyisprovided for those >>> Information requirements onhabitat lake eyre 7

Compared to the world’s arid areas, Lake Eyre Region fish Eyre Region areas, Lake arid world’s to the Compared can still Anglers condition. good in remarkably are communities good provide which species, all of of the eight largest any catch and aquarists eating. are good Naturalists most of which sport and the date, To habitats.can still observe fish in their natural small threats to of the greatest two avoided has largely Eyre Region Lake resources of water over-exploitation ecosystems: desert aquatic from overseas species (either exotic of many and the introduction Australia). or other regions of or extract flows been proposals to build dams, divert have There be Although these proposals may Eyre Region. in the Lake water resource water such economic prosperity, to the region’s conducive fish affect can adversely if not managed properly, developments, point of their extinction. communities to the goldfish Eyre Region: in the Lake introduced fish are present Two of their presence. be unaware and gambusia. Most people would people that many culture Australian part of a Goldfish are so much has not date, its presence To are not native. do not realise they but, as with Eyre Region problems in the Lake known caused any if it very quickly that could change Basin, carp in the Murray–Darling its for known well becomes more abundant. Gambusia is it affects fishes, but to what extent impact on native worldwide remains uncertain. It Region Eyre some species in the Lake and has been Eyre Region continues to spread throughout the Lake fish; red- Australian implicated in the decline of at least two central goby. and Edgbaston finned blue-eye adjacent to the Lake Basin Carp are present in the Murray–Darling with live recent ‘carp scares’, been some have There Eyre Region. all Like Eyre Region. in the Lake fish or frames being found to eradicate from a river introduced fishes, carp are impossible fishes from introduction of native The once introduced. system on a dramatic effect can also have Eyre Region outside the Lake local fish communities. Australian central of many in our knowledge Major gaps exist is known to be described, and little species are yet fishes. Several of the biology and ecology of most species. in association with the evolved fishes have Eyre Region Lake and flora. Understanding the and other fauna climate, landforms, components can help us to maintain the natural environment’s and aquatic habitats.unique fish fauna

lake eyre region eyre lake about the about lake eyre 8 summer rainfall averages aremarginallyhigherthaninwinter. occasional remnantsoftropicalcyclones. As aresultofstormactivity, latespringand more commoninsummerandareassociatedwiththemonsoontroughor Central Australia doesnothave well-defined seasons.Stormstendtobe wet anddry average rainfall. evaporation mm,which and4400 varies between 2400 dramaticallyexceeds the fell inanovernight nearInnamincka Merty stormatMerty homestead. Annual region. However, localisedfalls canbeextremely heavy. For in1974, instance, mm 300 varies from110 mmaroundLake mmonthemarginsof Eyreitselfto300–450 Droughts arenormalincentral Australia; rainfall issporadic. Annual average rainfall winter, night-timetemperatures rarelydropbelow -2or-3ºC. may risetothelow 50s. Average dailywintertemperatures 16–24ºC. range between In Average dailysummertemperatures 37–39ºC. aretypically Occasionally, temperatures The Lake EyreRegion issemiaridtoarid,experiencing low and rainfall. humidity Climate course for atleast65 millionyears andpossiblyupto350 millionyears. the world’s oldestrivers. Parts oftheFinke River arethoughttohave followed thesame Ranges in theNorthern Territory andmarkstheheadwaters ofwhatisperhapsone The region’s highestpointisMountZeil(1531 m),which ispartoftheMacDonnell than 250mabove sealevel. country. arerare,withlessthan30%oftheLake Mountains EyreRegion beinghigher steep andcraggywall risingfromaflatplainandleadingtoanotherexpanse offlat Region. Someapparentranges arenothillsatall,but‘jump-ups’ thatconsistofa are fascinating features, exhibiting thelayering ofsedimentsthatcreatedtheLake Eyre Some rangesarelittle morethanaseriesoflow, flat-toppedhills.Nevertheless, these catchments areoften nothingmorethangentlyrollinghills. watercourse often consistsofmany widelyseparatedchannels. Watersheds between the Lake EyreRegion ismostlyflat.Individualcatchments arevast andeach Flinders Ranges 65millionyears ago. overAs aresultofitsstability vast timeperiods, millionyearsabout 600 ago. upliftThe only‘recent’significantmountain occurredinthe last 65millionyears. The range,theMacDonnellRanges, was largestmountain formed The Lake EyreRegion consistsofancientlandforms thathave changed little over the Landscapes lake eyre 9 2 Other common vegetation the region. communities include sparse open herbfields (mostly communities include sparse open herbfields Chenopodiaceae); tall, herbaceous plants of the Family other acacia mulga and (dominated by open shrubland acacia or (dominated by open woodland species); low woodland. eucalypt species); and low grass plains (or open tussock grasslands), which covers which grasslands), grass plains (or open tussock about one-third of Vegetation and land use Vegetation is the Mitchell dominant feature Eyre Region’s Lake The of 2–5 m per year through the aquifer. m per year of 2–5 ) ) Rob Wager Rob Wager Mitchell grass plains ( Mitchell Great Artesian Basin Artesian Great km million 1.76 spanning formation geological a vast is (GAB) Basin Artesian Great The basins and its largest artesian world’s It is one of the area. surface Australia’s or 22% of GAB The importance within its sedimentary collected reserves lies in the of water layers. about 200 Over of inland areas began. ago when subsidence years million began to form as the layers in successive deposited and compressed were sediments years millions of being 95 million years times (the last time the landscape several sea entered and left sedimentary produced that rocks deposition of these different ago). It is the sequential flows, water which (usually sandstones) through that consist of porous rocks the layers to the water confine (usually siltstones and shales) which rocks and the non-porous partially interconnected consists of several actually Hence, the GAB specific layers. aquifers. of the margins resulted in in parts and uplift parts of the GAB Subsidence in central including the Simpson places, in several at the surface exposed being these layers porous exposed These of the Great Dividing Range. slopes Desert and the western to as the recharge and are referred to percolate into the aquifer, rainfall sandstones allow because through the permeable beds and cannot rise to the surface flows Water zones. than most of areas are higher recharge the Because impermeable layers. of the overlying is under considerable pressure. the basin, the underground water or if a bore is drilled, water rocks, in the overlying or weakness fault If there is a natural on the spring or an artesian bore. Rainfall resulting in a natural to the surface, flows tens to hundreds of thousands, take area) may main recharge (the Great Dividing Range an average travels again, as it only it comes to the surface before millions of years even Cattle grazing on herb land ( Cattle lake eyre 10 A kangaroodrinksataspringbefore parts ofthebasin. cassias, sandalwood, gidgeeandlignumareplantsthathave invaded various Prickly-acacia,parkinsonia, turkey mesquite,mimosa,rubbervine, bush worse. Woody weeds areacommonproblem,especiallyintheeasternareas. stream-bank erosionisevident. Feral anddomesticanimalsoften make this in someareas.Flooddamageisanatural occurrence, and creek-bed and andrun-offunstable, hascausedwidespreadsheeterosionandgully areas areseverely degraded.Many soilsthroughouttheregionarenaturally Some form oflanddegradationaffects much ofthegrazingarea,butafew such asimpoundments(dams)andwater-harvesting schemes. irrigation arealmostnon-existent, asaretheassociatedwater developments include rabbits,goats,pigs,donkeys, camelsandhorses.Cropping time ofEuropeansettlement. Feral animalsarefrequentlycommonand the mostcommonnative herbivore, beingmoreabundanttoday thanatthe grazing isprimarilyrestrictedtoareaseastofthedingofence. Kangaroosare lands intheLake EyreRegion. Grazingofcattle iswidespread,whilesheep Domestic grazingisthedominantlanduseandoccursonabout90%ofall the stormbreaks( Steve Brooks Steve ) lake eyre 11 Rivers and creeks and Rivers water. flowing permanently have Australia in central No rivers catchments, In small rainfall. after only and creeks flow Rivers days. to a few hours perhaps a few are of short duration, flows typically few a for lasts a flow larger river one site on a At any than a month are lasting longer Flows weeks. to a few days slowly to travel tends water gradients low of the rare. Because gradients of have larger rivers The a river. along the length of may upper reaches in the water Consequently, cm/km. 1.7–5.7 Once flows reaches. to get to the lower months take up to two most of recede to a series of waterholes, cease, the rivers or two is no further rain. if there a year disappear after which to known throughout the basin are Indeed, most waterholes settlement. dried at least once since European have spread as as Cooper Creek may such When in flood, rivers mainly to the flatness of wide as 50 km or more in parts, owing to spread out into many causes the river the landscape, which the Channel Country is how This in south-western channels. region, a road crossing Queensland acquired this name. In this the main consists not only of a bridge over a major river over spanning many or culverts but a series of bridges channel channels. overflow Australia. in central feature are the main wetland Waterholes larger more between waterholes, the length of river Given are Waterholes permanent ones are considered uncommon. process This action of water. through the erosive formed places. In in different types of waterholes results in different gorge walls The in gorges. form the inland ranges, waterholes and tending power its erosive increasing concentrate the flow, to carve a hole. out in the are associated with bedrock In some places, waterholes causes scouring. the bedrock over flowing Water channel. river In other a sandy bottom. have these waterholes Typically, becomes flow where water form may areas, waterholes In come together. channels two as where concentrated, such dominate the upper soils clays country, the channel areas like it can erode through the clay, to a depth of about 2 m. If a river When flow more easily eroded. is far which hits a sandy layer, out and seals the bottom. settles ceases some clay of steep or undercut. Roots are often banks of waterholes The fishes. In for cover trees help to hold the banks and provide ) ) Rob Wager Rob Wager (

The same road crossing The over the Diamantina River, over one day apart ( one day

of the lake eyre region eyre lake the of

aquatic habitats aquatic The Diamantina River channel country channel Diamantina River The lake eyre 12 or cold. for fishesmay belimitedbysuitability the water becomingsaline,tooshallow ortohot permanent isusedlooselyhere. While agiven upcompletely, waterhole may notdry its arid partoftheLake EyreCatchment. torememberthattheterm Itisimportant highest numberoffishspecies. This may alsoinpartbeduetoitsoccurring intheleast while CooperCreekhasthegreatest numberofwaterholes and,not surprisingly, the somewater.contain The Diamantina River hasanumber of permanentwaterholes, not driedsinceEuropeansettlement, althoughithasmany waterholes thatusually River areconsideredpermanent. The Georgina River hasonlyone waterhole thathas spring-fed poolsthatmay notbepermanenteither. Onlyseven waterholes intheFinke andHaypermanent waterholes, rivers whilethe Plenty have onlyacoupleoftiny waterholes. The Macumba, ToddRivers andHale andalloftheFrome System have no limited inextent. For example, theNealesRiver isreportedtohave onlytwo permanent Despite therelatively longandapparentlargesize oftherivers, permanentwater is off of4457 m below. isprovided. Following types ofthemajorhabitat that,asummary The Lake EyreRegion consistsofseveral separatedrainageareasthataredescribed and areoften several degreescoolerthanthewaterholes intowhich they flow. leading downstream orback upatributary. Initially, floodwaters muddy tendtobevery navigate, becauseitisnotobvious which isthemainchannel andwhether theflow is before continuingdownstream. This flow dispersalcanmake afloodedriver difficult to In floodingrivers, theflow often overflow spillsintotributaries, channels andgullies salt perlitreofwater), except inareasaroundLake Eyre. the water isvariable, butusuallyislessthanonepartperthousand(thatis,gramof lower layers were 29and31ºC. between orthesaltcontentof Inaddition,thesalinity Creek inNovember, thetemperature ofthetoplayer was 36ºC at midday, whilethe water may warm,withamuch bevery coolerlayer below. For example, in Aramac During warmer months,waterholes may undergothermallayering. The toplayer of more extreme inshallow waterholes. lower CooperCreek.Nodoubtthisis of 13–34ºC hasbeenrecordedinthe An annualwater temperature range water overnight. treatment withalumcanclearthe left inabucket for amonth,although water. The water willnotcleareven if particles chemically suspendedinthe muddiness iscausedby fineclay water isexceptionally muddy. This sandy streambottoms arerare,the parts oftheLake EyreRegion where The Lake EyreDrainageisabout1.3 millionkm Lake EyreDrainage 3 . Lake Eyreistheterminus for allthedrainage. 2 inareaandhasanaverage annualrun- The OldCorkwaterhole, DiamantinaRiver ( Rob Wager Rob ) lake eyre 13 Emydura in area. Annual run-off is Annual run-off in area. 2 in area and has an average annual in area and has an average 2 ). Most of the rivers that contribute water the rivers ). Most of kreffti to Lake Eyre have a distinctive fish fauna. For fauna. fish distinctive a Eyre have to Lake to species are endemic fish instance, several has no River Cooper Creek; the Diamantina has the Georgina River endemic species; and occur in the Gulf of some species that also Carpentaria rivers. Creek and the Diamantina River Cooper Both Despite maps showing that most of the larger most of that showing maps Despite appears to the lake Eyre, Lake connect to rivers some for to dispersal barrier act as a physical ( turtle river and to Krefft’s fish species ) . It has two main catchments; the Bulloo River system that system the Bulloo River main catchments; . It has two 3 Rob Wager run-off of about 400 m run-off Drainage Barkley Tablelands 230 000 Drainage is approximately km Tablelands Barkley The Bulloo–Bancannia Drainage 570 km Drainage is about 100 Bulloo–Bancannia The terminates in Bulloo Lake, which is a series of large ephemeral swamps on the ephemeral swamps is a series of large which terminates in Bulloo Lake, Yanncannia) (or border (see Figure 2); and the Bancannia Wales South Queensland–New catchments Both of a series of small, isolated creeks and lakes. consists which system specimens. only from a few fishes are known and most remain poorly studied compared than expected less abundant are far fish stocks the Bulloo River’s Curiously, in the Bulloo River, be because the water may This rivers. Australian with other central It has been suggested muddier. is much rivers, Australian compared with other central Drainage Division. However, Murray–Darling part of the is, or was, that the Bulloo River drainage to historical direction for indicates that the most likely the present topography most closely resembles of the Bulloo River fish fauna The Frome. Lake occur is towards Frome. also had past connections to Lake that of Cooper Creek, which those creeks exist; main catchments Two but is a small amount. not specifically known, and those that drain into Lake lakes, associated and nearby Sylvestor that drain into Lake Ranges. in the south in the Davenport entire drainage is very flat except The Woods. type of any research scarce. Little are Most creeks are short and permanent waterholes once been connected to Lake to have has been conducted in this drainage. It is likely it and the Eyre Drainage on its eastern margin where the drainage divide between non-existent. is virtually Georgina River occasionally flow into Lake Eyre at the same time. There are no obvious reasons why at reasons why are no obvious There same time. Eyre at the into Lake occasionally flow Creek endemic fish could not surviveleast some of the Cooper River in the Diamantina Eyre, most species in Lake fishes live is sparse on which Although information today. from habitat too different the lake is not during floods. Moreover, can access the lake than are be more complicated circumstances may some of their usual habitats. Possibly, presently understood. A waterhole in Cooper Creek near Windorah ( in Cooper Creek near A waterhole lake eyre 14 recent years. Lakes have beenacentrefor intensive study in interconnected lakes lessthan2mdeep.Coongie in theCooperCreeksystem areaseriesof andwildlifequality arepoorlyknown. CoongieLakes Woods Lake is intheBarkley Drainageanditswater permanent asispossiblefor lakes inthisarea. Woods Lake and CoongieLake) areascloseto Some lakes intheLake EyreRegion, (for example many lakes becomemuch saltierthanseawater. level risesowing toevaporation. up, As they dry short-lived fishpopulationsthatdieasthesalinity (such asEyreandFrome) massive, contain although When partiallyorcompletelyfull,thelargelakes sloping banksandrarelyaremorethan2mdeep. with smallerlakes, they generallyhave gently lakes, seeingthemfullofwater isstillunusual. As of catchment areas.Despitethegreatsize of these Larger lakes areusuallyfound inthelower reaches species asnearby riverine waterholes. may have onlyoneortwo fishspecies,orasmany clearer thannearby riverine waterholes. Such lakes is usuallymuddy, itis althoughinsomeinstances finding onethatispermanentunusual. The water water forcontain afew weeks toseveral years, filled onlyby rainfall. Although thesesmalllakes may clay panshave aclosedcatchment areaandare during floodswhenrivers overflow. However, some usually withoutvertical orundercutbanks,thatfill waterholes arethatthey areshallow depressions, Common features oftheseisolatedlakes and size or, morelikely, onwhatithasbeencalledinthepast. larger rivers. Whether awaterhole iscalledawaterhole oralake dependslargelyonits Australia arepartofawatercourse andhave aninflow andoutflow, asdowaterholes on beconsideredlakes. Indeedsome,ifnotmost,lakes incentral might otherwise The term‘waterhole’ (asappliedtorivers) describessome isolatedwater bodiesthat lakes, clay orsaltpans,flood-outsmelonholesmay beused. waterholes, althoughseveral localnamessuch aslakes, billabongs,lagoons,oxbow Small isolatedbodiesofwater throughouttheLake EyreRegion areinvariably known as Most lakes incentral Australia andirregular forfishes. habitat provide onlyatemporary Lakes Coorabulka Lakes nearBoulia, thegrassyarea fills after rain( Rob Wager Rob ) lake eyre 15 desert of salt and clay, with small areas of mud with small areas salt and clay, desert of 2 Springs outlets of the Great are natural Australia Most springs in central one are about 600 outlets. However, There known Artesian Basin. represent between 1 and 400outlet may individual springs; All the higher. the number of springs is considerably consequently, Artesian Basin (see the Great ‘supergroups’ springs occur in 11 of less small, with a discharge map). Most springs are relatively rate a discharge springs have than 1 litre a second (L/s). Only 11 L/s; all are located within the Dalhousie Springs between 5–138 mound and are often a distinctive springs have Supergroup. Many and composition of to as mound springs, although the size referred mounds vary mounds springs. Springs that do not form between to as artesian springs, boggomosses or soaks. referred are often and stock watering from most springs is at least suitable for Water be suitable consumption. human may for an unusual concentration of biological diversity. Some springs have contain groups of springs described below fishes, plants and The Lake Eyre Lake see the to first European the Eyre became John Edward In 1840, as known what are now He thought that Australia. of central lakes salt massive a single was Frome and Lake Torrens Eyre, Lake Lake when full, Eyre, Eyre thought, Lake not as large as Although lake. Usually Lake Australia. in of water largest inland body is still the Eyre is a 9000 km occur about seasons, which unusually wet After and saline water. floods, Eyre fills. During the record 1974 Lake times a century, five million megalitres, or 26 at an estimated 32.5 peaked the lake in the intervening inflows some minor After million acre feet. is rarely lake While the dry 1979–80. virtually again by it was years, not contain it probably does resident fish stocks completely dry, high salinitybecause of its extremely levels. on point and is the lowest sea level m below lies 15.2 Eyre Lake continent. Its geological historyAustralian is long and complex the as when it last had (such aspects are poorly known and many some time, for connections to the sea). It has been landlocked the last 20 million years, or more. During perhaps two million years a combination of continental of and the deposition forces times large to bed to sink and at sediments has caused the lake depending upon climatic formed, lakes freshwater massive arid Eyre began to take on its present-day conditions. Lake or so, marking the time years the last 1 million condition only over Australia. aridity began in central when severe lake eyre 16 date palms( of thesprings,which have undergonelittle modificationexcept for theintroductionof also possiblyendemic. There arenointroducedaquaticanimals,includingfishes,inany includingablindamphipod.Isnendemic crustaceans, addition,acrayfish andafrogare with sixfishes,five ofwhich areendemic;atleastsixendemicsnails;andseveral small These springshave themostdiverse fauna ofany oftheGreat Artesian Basin springs, 30ºCbetween and46ºC. springs thatproduceswarm-water outflows, withmany springshaving temperatures the natural water discharge fromtheGreat Artesian Basin. Itistheonlymajorgroup of spring grouptobeprotectedwithin Australia. Springs, toform NationalPark,Witjira makingDalhousieSpringsthefirstcomplete In 1985, theSouth Australian Government Dalhousie containing boughttheproperty some uniqueandspecialanimalsplantsmay have beenlostalready. be found. Sadly, mostspringshave beendamagedordegradedand,consequently, been studied toany greatextent, and many new animalandplantspeciesarelikely to other wildlife thatarefound nowhere elseintheworld. Many ofthesespringshave not exotic fish,gambusia, isfound in afew springs. spangled perch arerecordedoccasionally; andone recorded in30springs;Lake Eyrehardyheadand springs. For example, desertgoby have been Several speciesoffish have beenfound inthese about onemillionyears. Basin isthoughttohave beenundergroundfor springs inthesouth-west oftheGreat Artesian of thesearesmall. The water emergingfrom perhaps several thousandindividualsprings.Most groups ofspringsarepresentwithintheLake EyreSupergroup,althoughthereare kmlong byoccur inabandabout400 20kmwidearoundLake Eyre. About 100 named This isthelargestspringsupergroupintermsofnumberindividualsprings, which Springs intheLakeEyreSupergroup still active. The springsoccurover about70km about100Dalhousie Springscontains individualspringoutlets,ofwhich about80are Dalhousie Springs Phoenix dactylifera Phoenix ). 2 . DalhousieSpringsaccountsfor 41%of Edgbaston Springs, habitat ofred-finnedblue-eyedEdgbaston Springs,habitat and Edgbaston goby ( Rob Wager Rob ) lake eyre 17 Elizabeth Springs Elizabeth Springs is a part of the Springvale Supergroup and consists of about 40 individual springs, with a total area of about 6.5 ha. Several active were Supergroup springs in the Springvale once Elizabeth Springs, which extraction. water before spring in the probably the second or third-largest was is the only extant spring group. Artesian Basin, Great at less than 5% of its original rate. One it flows Today, and one endemic fish, the Elizabeth Springs goby, in Elizabeth Springs. endemic snail are found of which occur together in some springs, and of which and other undescribed endemic ostracods, amphipods invertebrates. Edgbaston Springs Edgbaston least 44 springs have At the Springsure Supergroup. Springs is part of Edgbaston and marshy; are small, shallow Springs, most of which at Edgbaston been identified remnant vegetation. moist areas with more than Some are little mounds. none form and a hardyhead) occur Edgbaston goby blue-eye, fishes (namely red-finned Three ranges natural the smallest and have only from these springs known are They here. are recorded from some perch spangled fishes. Occasionally, Australian of any springs. present in many gambusia also is the exotic springs. Unfortunately, environmental freshwater some of the harshest also exhibits Edgbaston Springs hours, a few over example, for world; in the anywhere conditions found of Edgbaston the small size Despite more than 20ºC. vary by may temperatures that of rivaling and endemic fauna, Springs, it contains a surprisingly diverse species of snails, six endemic includes at least seven fauna This Dalhousie Springs. Endemic invertebrates include 10 species of snails, several small crustaceans small several of snails, species 10 include invertebrates Endemic flat worm. and a an isopod) and amphipods (ostracods, The largest spring at Elizabeth Springs The rarely oftheEdgbaston goby( lake eyre 18 A bore drain. Habitat ofgambusia and A boredrain. Habitat springs. Over-exploitation hasmeantthatmany boreshave Great Artesian Basin, have causedtheextinction ofmany natural water and,by reducingwater pressureover largeareasofthe impacts. detrimental They areawaste ofextremely precious Unfortunately, free-flowing boresandboredrainsmay have flora andfauna. bore drainshave providedfor fishesandotherwetland habitat industries toexpand areas.Further, intopreviously inhospitable transformed many areasofcentral Australia, allowing pastoral instead forms awaterhole orwetland. Artesian boreshave much ofitslength.Often far, theboredoesnotflow very but natural gullyorcreeksothatthebecomespermanentfor theartesianwaterIn many isallowed instances, toentera drains have becomeknown asboredrains. were constructed, water partsofproperties. fromtheboretodistant taking These out ontotheground.Such aboreiscalledfree-flowing bore.Often networks ofdrains sunk intothewater-bearing layers ofthebasin. Water isforced uptheboreandflows began incentral Australia duringthelate1870s. Sincethen,many boreholeshave been Artesian boresareartificialoutletsoftheGreat Artesian Basin. Majordrilling ofbores Artificial habitats–flowingbores,farmdamsandimpoundments Rob Wager Rob ) does incentral Australia withoutboredrains. areas. Itisunlikely aswell thatthis speciescouldsurvive as it many individualsthatcanspreadduringfloodstocolonise new dispersal isassistedby thepresenceofboredrainsthatprovide Creek Basin andareinvading theDiamantinaBasin. This rarely inlargenumbers. They have spreadthroughouttheCooper fish. Gambusiacanalsobefound inriverine waterholes, but Because ofthis,they have becomelocallyknown asbore-drain timeswhennearby evensurvive, waterholes dry. duringdry warm, shallow, permanentwater allows largepopulationsto introduced fish,gambusiaisoften abundantinboredrains. The fish andsomeweeds toproliferate. The Free-flowing boreshave allowed anexotic needed isused. thereby ensuringthatonlyasmuch asis reducing evaporation andseepage, troughs. waterThis processconserves by can beregulatedandthenpipedtostock placed ontheboreoutletsothatflow cap andpipefree-flowing bores. A valve is assisting landowners andmanagers to recognised andgovernments arenow stopped flowing. This problemhasbeen (uncontrolled) bore A free-flowing ( Rob Wager Rob ) ) lake eyre 19 Rob Wager A ring tank or turkey nest ( nest A ring tank or turkey Rains of fishes stories are told about people finding fishes in Many must is that they usual explanation The unusual places. in most cases, it is However, ‘come from the sky.’ have out the possibility swam that they impossible to rule a remarkable capacity to Eyre fishes have there. Lake been recorded swimming have disperse. Spangled perch stopped They km in 6 hours along a wheel rut. up to 16.6 of the briefest After dried up. only because the water Fact or fiction? tales several got away, Apart from stories about the ones that unusual happenings are regularly told about unusual fish or some reason, these are heard mostly in fishes. For involving storyteller or areas-perhaps isolation generates a better outback the land creates a perhaps the stronger association with with and despite the conviction greater perception? Either way, are told, most are hard to believe. they which Farm dams also have become fish and become also have dams Farm of habitats much throughout wildlife dams are Earthen Australia. central run- to catch across a gully constructed is earthen wall an Alternatively, off. hole. around an excavated constructed type a ring is usually called of dam This is pumped Water nest. tank or a turkey into ring tanks from underground either nearby or during floods from waterholes. an uncanny have Fishes and crayfish may This into ring tanks drains. and bore ability way to find their the incredible dispersal ability species, of some by be explained Some species undoubtedly are especially during floods. pumped into ring tanks be either as eggs or larvae. Birds may been introducing eggs, although this has never responsible for a wanting lore has it that ‘the postman’, documented. Local camp, often at an overnight or spangled perch of crayfish feed introduces them. small are Eyre Region in the Lake only impoundments The needs of many supplying the domestic water used for weirs terms of in to waterholes different are not much These towns. be more may They qualityhabitat, and fish communities. water still drypermanent, but many completely. ) Rob Wager ( Isisford Weir on the Barcoo River on the Barcoo Weir Isisford lake eyre 20 evolution of many uniqueandendemicplant andanimalspecies. wetlands. The longisolationfromthe restoftheworld hasallowed the ofplantsandanimalsinhabitcentral Apart fromfishes,avariety Australian to travelresult oftheirability after rain. appearanceoffishesinaremotewaterholethe mystery ismostlikely the conditions, butthey dieifrain orfloodingdoesnotfillthewaterhole. Again, waterhole. drying They theseadverse have tosurvive aremarkableability when dried.Live spangled perch orcatfishareoften found inthemudof a able toaestivate orhibernate. Noneproduceeggsthatareabletosurvive There isnoscientificevidence thatany fishesintheLake EyreRegion are Hibernation, aestivationorjustlivinginmud around drillingsites,butitisunlikely thatthey comefrombelow ground. temperatures aroundthedrillprobablykilledthem.Fishesmay be found ‘bore holefish’ may have arrived withthecoolingwater. The high ground orifitistrucked tothesitefor coolingorcleaningpurposes. The It isnotknown ifthewater aroundthedrillingoperationscomesfrombelow temperature much over 35ºC. lateral linesandalsolack eyes; they cannottoleratewater certainly metres below ground.Such specieshave such adaptations aswell-developed these live incaves nearthesurface ratherthan inaquifers hundredsof Some fishesdolive below ground. Australia such hastwo species.However, invariably dead. The inference isthatthey have comefrombelow ground. fishes (like cooked prawns) aroundthebaseofdrillingrig. They are bore-holes. The commonaspectofthesestoriesisthepresencepinkish relatestothepresenceoffishesinoraroundnewly drilled Another story Fish livingunderground rains offishesprobablydonotoriginatefromthesky. andthatotherswerein theinlettotap livinginthewater Most tank. Closerinspectionrevealedand stoppedflowing. thatasmallfishwas stuck little morethought. About aweek later, becameblocked ofthetank thetap Itwas explainedthe station. simplyas‘one ofthemrainsfishes’ andgiven but briefdownpour, were onthegroundaround fishesandtadpoles observed near onastation, tank incentralwestern Queensland. Winton After aheavy Dispersal doesnotexplain how fishescame tobefound inahousewater drains in5mmofwater. showers, introducedgambusiahave beenfound onclay pansnearbore lake eyre 21 ) ) Typha species) Nymphaea Nymphoides Eriocaulon carsonii species). Phragmites australis Myriophyllum springs, some of these plants Potamogeton spp.) is the most famous plant of spp.) is the most famous ), common reeds ( Marsilea ) is common in waterholes, lakes and dams; it lakes ) is common in waterholes, and pondweed ( and pondweed common, but true Floating plants are more Aquatic plants Aquatic the in are uncommon plants aquatic Submerged clear is so little because there Eyre Region Lake in muddy are unable to grow plants Aquatic water. get enough light. cannot they because water, by fed as in creeks such clear, is water Where the including grow, plants will many bores, flowing ( milfoil the common water domingensis Emergent plants (that is, plants that grow in water Emergent plants (that is, plants that grow above and flowers their stems, leaves but have such are more common and include water) ( widespread species as cumbungi or bulrushes and another closely related but undescribed species and another closely related but undescribed in shallow grow small aquatic cacti that look like of the or are totally submerged. Because water degradation of so many are in danger of extinction. Nardoo ( wetlands in the Lake Eyre Region. It is a small, clover- Eyre Region. in the Lake wetlands After rapidly in damp situations. that grows fern like flooding, spores germinate and old, apparently dead the pastoral produce shoots. Before plants may industry established, vast this plant formed was able to Aborigines were about 30 cm high. meadows a type of flour. spores to make collect sufficient can be the nardoo flour with water, When mixed and several kinds of sedges and rushes. Such plants Such sedges and rushes. kinds of and several bores. are common in springs and flowing plants occur in artesian springs but nowhere Many ( salt pipewort example, else. For ) ) and ), or a similar species, are present in some of the more ), or a similar species, ) is present. This plant has small, floating leaves and a plant has small, floating leaves This ) is present. Rob Wager ( crenata gigantea Ludwigia peploides waterlilies are rarely found. Pink flowering waterlilies ( waterlilies Pink flowering are rarely found. waterlilies grows in mud and extends long runners from the shore into long runners in mud and extends grows species is suspected This flowers. It also has yellow deeper water. of causing gastroenteritis in cattle. lasting waterholes and some ring tanks. More often, a waterlily- ring tanks. and some More often, lasting waterholes ( or marshwort snowflake as water plant known like small, feathery, yellow flower. Water primrose or ludwigia Water flower. yellow small, feathery, ( ) ) species) in a bore drain Phragmites australis Rob Wager Rob Wager ( Typha Myriophyllum species) in artesian springs ( from an artesian spring Common reed ( Cumbungi (

A species of

‘Tall’ and ‘short’ Salt Pipewort ‘Tall’ Eriocaulon (

of the lake eyre region eyre lake the of aquatic flora and fauna and flora aquatic lake eyre 22 Crayfish or Yabby ( The eggs of the unusual shield shrimp or tadpole shrimp ( The eggsoftheunusualshieldshrimportadpole yabby ( Many invertebrates (animalswithoutbackbones) occurinwaterholes. The crayfish or Invertebrates these species. food sources for fishesandotheranimals.Little isknown aboutthelife historiesof Several speciesofsnailsoccurintheLake EyreRegion, someofwhich areimportant mussels andusedtheirshellsfor cutting andfor decorative andscraping, purposes. themselves deepinthemudandwaiting for thenext flood. Aboriginal peopleate ofwaterholes byanother tube. thedrying burying Musselsappeartosurvive extended tube. Onceorganicmaterialhasbeencollected,thewater isexpelled through themselves toit.Musselsfeed by filteringwater drawn intotheirbodiesthroughan move by anchoring theirlargefleshy foot intothesurrounding mudanddrawing Freshwater musselslive buriedinthesedimentsatmarginsofwaterholes. They shrimps. tadpole Anostraca) areanotherunusualLake Eyrecrustacean thathasasimilarlife cycle to and canbedispersedby shrimps(Family windandduststormstonew Fairy habitats. feature prevents eggshatching inthelastremnantsofmud. These light eggsarevery sediments. These eggswillnothatch unlessthey undergoaperiod ofdrying. This inthedry Males andfemales ofeggthatcansurvive mateandproduceatype for malestofertilise theireggs. When theclaypan todry, starts malesareproduced. This enableslargepopulationstoquickly buildup,sincethefemales donotneedtowait shield shrimpemerge. The females mature andlay eggsthatproducemorefemales. gulliesorclaypans fordormant indry many years. After rain,theeggshatch andfemale australiense Cherax destructor Cherax Cherax destructor Cherax ( Rob Wager Rob ) arewidespreadandabundant.Both aregoodtoeat. ) ) waterlilies, andferal pigsuprootplantstogettheirbulbs. tostock.palatable Cattle wade inwither-deep water toget become lesscommon.Many emergentandaquaticplantsarevery Region, nardooandmany otherwater plantsappeartohave Following ofpastoralactivitiesintheLake theestablishment Eyre cakes, which thelocal themtomake. Aborigines taught to CooperCreek. The explorers persistedfor atimeonnardoo was madefamous by membersoftheBurke and Expedition Wills made intoapasteandbaked toform smallnardoocakes. Nardoo ) andthefreshwater prawn orshrimp( Triops australiensis Triops Macrobrachium ) may lie lake eyre 23 Crocodylus ) is the only turtle recorded from the Lake Eyre the Lake recorded from ) is the only turtle ) was caught near Windorah. Crocodiles are not a caught near ) was ) also have invaded the Lake Eyre Region from eastern and from Eyre Region the Lake invaded ) also have johnstoni Water birds Water at waterholes typesBirds are one of the most obvious of wildlife been recorded from Some 250 species of birds have and lakes. of these are associated with and many Eyre Region the Lake In the early 1990s, a 1.85 m freshwater crocodile ( m freshwater a 1.85 In the early 1990s, how it is not known and typical of the Cooper Creek fauna, part km from happened to be more than 1000 this particular crocodile it had some human assistance! home. Perhaps, wetlands. Most waterfowl and many other birds are highly and many Most waterfowl wetlands. filling, or even of a waterhole hundreds Within days nomadic. geese, swans, up, including ducks, turn thousands of birds may terns. Many seagulls and cormorants, pelicans and even wetlands in central Australia are important and feeding resting Australia in central wetlands migratoryareas for birds. Fishes Few fishes occur in the desert regions of Australia. Only 33 Australia. fishes occur in the desert regions of Few do not been recorded. Many have families species from 11 native extraordinary adaptations for and most have occur elsewhere desert existence. Within the Lake Eyre Region, fishes can be Within Eyre Region, the Lake desert existence. separated into two groups: those that rely on the permanent and groups: those that rely separated into two stable of artesian springs, and those that relatively environments in waterholes. live Emydura kreffti ) is a burrowing frog that lives in sandy areas. It is found only after found in sandy areas. It is that lives frog ) is a burrowing Bufo marinus ) Notaden nichollsi Despite the lack of permanent water, fishes are able to persist in central Australia for Australia fishes are able to persist in central water, of permanent Despite the lack go dry in a particular system rarely do all the waterholes the at reasons. Firstly, two can disperse they which by a means flooding provides same time, and, secondly, body upstream of the point where flow every water During flooding, virtually widely. gradients that allow low is ensured by situation This ceases will be connected. within each uniform long periods. Fish distributions are fairly to persist for floodwaters of the total fish riverine typically contain and most waterholes 80–100% system, river in response to flooding. produce huge numbers of eggs, often species Many fauna. rain, when it comes to the surface to breed in clay pans. Most frogs are active after Most frogs are active pans. in clay to breed it comes to the surface rain, when can be deafening. or spring waterhole males around a of calling chorus rain, and the ( Cane toads About 22 species of frogs live in the Lake Eyre Region. Most also occur in other areas occur in other Most also Region. Eyre in the Lake live of frogs 22 species About toad spade-foot desert The arid regions. are restricted to but some Australia, of ( Frogs and reptiles Frogs northern areas. ( turtle river Krefft’s Region. It is common in the Cooper Creek Catchment, but whether it occurs further but is common in the Cooper Creek Catchment, It Region. is unknown. west Gunther Schmida Krefft’s River Turtle River Krefft’s ( lake eyre 24

identifying fish a Obvious sharpspinesinthedorsal, anal andpelvicfins;weak insmallfish. 7. 6a. No extended lastdorsalfinray; caudal finrounded;maleshave auniquemodified 5b. Lastray ofthedorsalfinhasalongthread-like filament,which extends almost to 5a. Noobvious spineatbeginning ofdorsalfin.5. Beginning asinglespine.Cyprinidae, ofdorsalfin contains page42. 4b. 4a. ‘Single’ dorsalfinwithdistinctive low pointinmiddleortwo dorsalfins.6. Single dorsalfinwithnoobvious low pointinthemiddle.4. 3b. 3a. Noadiposefinpresent.3. Adipose finpresent.Retropinnidae, page22. 2b. 2a. Separatedorsal,caudalandanalfins.2. 1b. The seconddorsalfin,caudalfinandanalform asinglecontinuousfin; 1a. the glossary. of greaterimportance. Any technical termsusedareshown inFigurex for identification,ascolourisvariable Colourpatterns andcanbemisleading. areoften species inthatFamily willusuallyenablethemtobeidentified. Avoid usingcolouralone and information inthefirsttwo paragraphs(distributionanduniquefeatures) ofeach key untilaFamily nameisreached. Turn tothepageindicated. The colourphotographs the next key number, oraFamily namewithapicture andapagenumber. Follow the willbecorrect andtheotherincorrect.statement After each thereiseither statement, To usethekey, For atnumberoneandcarefullyreadthestatements. start any fish,one The key below allows any fishlikely tobefound intheLake EyreRegion tobeidentified. occurs. surfaces; themaleguardseggsuntilhatching, after which care nofurtherparental numbers ofsmalleggsduringfloods.Gobiesandgudgeonsattach eggsontohard warmer months.Largerspecies,such ascatfishes,grunters andperch, lay large hardyheads, rainbowfish, smeltandglassperchlet, lay afew eggsdailyduringthe some requiretemperatures inexcess of25ºC. Mostofthesmallerspecies,especially Most speciesspawn whenthewater temperatures aregreaterthan20ºC, although significant juvenile occursonlyafter survival floods. is linked Several toflooding. speciescanspawn but independentlyofflooding, inrelativelysurvive low oxygen concentrations. The ofjuveniles survival ofmost species all Lake EyreRegion aperiodin50%seawater. fisheswillsurvive Generally, mostcan as desertgoby andspangledperch, from4–42ºC, willsurvive for shortperiods. Almost tolerate temperatures between 15 and35ºC; mostcantolerate7–37ºC; andafew, such Most central Australian fisheshave tolerances. broadenvironmental All speciescan anal fin(called a gonopodium).Poeciliidae, page 41. caudal finforked. anal finunmodified.Clupeidae,page21. by extending itisreadilyobserved the tail; andspreadingthedorsalfinforward; barbels presentaroundthemouth.Plotosidaepage23. and/or definedin lake eyre 25 speckles on any fins. Atherinidae, page 26. fins. on any speckles 12b. centre of thin iridescent line down deeper than wide; no clear thin, much Body 6b. on fins. 9. spines sharp No obvious 7a.7b. page 31. Ambassidae, then 60 mm. Usually less 60 mm. 8. Usually larger then 8a.8b.31. page pectoral fin base. Percichthyidae, or in front of the below fin origin Pelvic page 33. Terapontidae, base. behind pectoral fin fin origin distinctly Pelvic 9a.9b. of pectoral fin base. 10. or in front fin origin below Pelvic 11. distinctly behind pectoral fin base. fin origin Pelvic 10a. a single fin. Gobiidae, page 38. to form fins joined Pelvic 10b. fins separate. Eleotridae, page 35. Pelvic 11a. page29. fin rounded ; no larger than 30 mm. Pseudomugillidae, Caudal 11b. mm. 12. be smaller or larger than 30 ; may Caudal fin forked 12a. centre of body; no line down thin iridescent (pencil-like); and rounded thick Body lake eyre 26

fish descriptions Biology. larger boredrains. common inthelargercreeks,rivers andlakes, and andarealsofound inringtanks Habitat. serrated keel alongthebelly. blunt, fleshy andoverhangs asmalltoothlessmouth. The scalesform a byobserved extending andspreadingthedorsalfinforward. The snoutis consisting ofalongfilamentthatextends almosttothecaudalfin.Itisreadily bream have asingledorsalfinwithnospines;thelastray ofthedorsalfin clear. Mature fishmay have areddishtingeonthesnoutandbelly. Bony grey tingeontheirbacks, becomingwhitishonthesidesandbelly;finsare the Lake EyreRegion they reach mm. 300 They aresilver withagreenishor Description. fish in Australia (Hyrtl’s catfishbeingtheother). They areabundantthroughout Distribution. bony forage speciesfor breamareanimportant largerfishandbirds. Bony breamoften areused asbaitfor anglingandfish traps.Itislikely that causes such asfungalorparasiticinfections andlow water temperatures. ofbony breamiscommon. mortality These killshave beenattributed toseveral algae, aquaticplants,smallcrustaceans andinsects.Duringwinter, mass are herbivorous, feeders detrital whilejuveniles may beomnivorous eating years onetofive, respectively. Individualsmay bemature at70mm. Adults Murray River indicatelengthsof67, 120, 240, 340and390mmareachieved in likely tobeslightlydifferent intheLake EyreRegion. Growth recordsinthe are known onlyfromtheMurray–Darling System. Their breedingbiologyis about 1mmdiameter. ofspawning behaviour Details andearlydevelopment east. Bony breamproduceuptoseveral hundredthousandbuoyant eggsof compared withbony breamintheMurray–Darling System andinrivers further Apparently, CooperCreekbony breamhave alongerspawning period Family Clupeidae– herrings Nematalosa erebi Nematalosa Bony bream Largeschools of bony breamoften arefound inwaterholes. They aremost

Bony breamspawn inspringandsummer, independentlyofflooding. After spangledperch, bony breamistheequalsecondmostwidespread IntheMurray River, bony breamgrow to470mm.Commonly, in (Gunther, 1868) ( Gunther Schmida Gunther ) major Lake Eyre Region Australia, andoccurinall northern andinland rivers. lake eyre 27 ) Gunther Schmida ( (Weber, 1895) (Weber, Australian smelt appear to be a little smaller in Cooper Creek smaller to be a little smelt appear Australian Within the Lake Eyre Region, Australian smelt are known only from smelt are known Australian Within Eyre Region, the Lake No information is available on the breeding biology of Australian of on the breeding biology is available No information Australian smelt occur in waterholes and lakes where they frequently form where they and lakes smelt occur in waterholes Australian Australian smelt Australian Retropinna semoni than elsewhere. The largest recorded size is about 80 mm, although they are mm, although they is about 80 size largest recorded The than elsewhere. long, are fish with single dorsal and slender They mm. more commonly 40–50 anal fin is located more posteriorly The on their bodies. back anal fins set well a smelt have Australian A small adipose fin is present. than the dorsal fin. except are translucent, they tail. In muddy water, forked and a prominent eye back Their a silverycolumn. body cavity lining,for opaque head and vertebral lighter on the sides. In coastal becoming populations, tan above, is yellowish an become vivid orange to red, with condition in spawning smelt Australian spot on the terminating with a black stripe, often orange to red mid-lateral fins are transparent. The caudal peduncle. Habitat. flows congregating in turbulent are found during floods, they Often large schools. barriers. crossings and other places that form below Biology. other parts of its from derived Information Eyre Region. smelt in the Lake to early summer at water occurs from late winter that spawning range shows observationsAquarium indicate that several or above. of 15ºC temperatures in a single spawning.spawning In the wild, become involved individuals may sandy substrates or aquatic margins of pools over occurs at the shallow slightly less than 1 mm in to 200 up lay eggs each Females vegetation. in 9–10 hatch They on the substrate. and settle eggs are sticky The diameter. larva long and are 4.6 mm Newly-hatched of 15–18ºC. at temperatures days at a smaller Fish from Cooper Creek are thought to mature 2–3 days. for drift at 6–12 probably mature They the 40 mm recorded elsewhere. than size They and algae. invertebrates on small smelt feed Australian months of age. can They larger fish and birds. species for to be an important forage are likely aquarists. experienced be maintained in aquaria by Distribution. also occur in south-eastern coastal They are abundant. Cooper Creek where they drainages and in the Basin. Murray–Darling Eyre Smelt from the Lake appear to differ Region from those from example (for elsewhere and larger eyes) have they to belong to a prove may species. different Description. Description. Family Retropinnidae – smelts – Retropinnidae Family lake eyre 28 Georgina andFinke catchments. Someindividualsfound sympatricallyintheDiamantina bony bream)in Australia; usuallyitisabundantinCooperCreekandtheDiamantina, Distribution. individuals aregoodeating. They for aresuitable keeping inaquariums. they areactive throughouttheday. They aretakenregularlyby anglers,andlarger Hyrtl’s catfishprimarily arenocturnal, especiallyin clearwater. Inmuddyconditions, insects, crustaceans, molluscsandworms, usuallytaken fromornearthesubstrate. Females are186–267 mmlongandhave 1600–15 eggs.Dietincludesaquatic 300 areabout6 mmlongathatching,Larvae and6-week-old fishareabout30–40 mmlong. between rocks andotherobjects.Eggsare2–3 mm indiameterandhatch in2–3 days. Non-adhesive eggsarescattered over thesubstrate,wherethey collectinspaces female, thenrepeatedlydartsaheadandarches hisbodyaroundthefemale. indicated thatspawning occursover gravel orsandsubstrates. A malecloselyfollows a populations ofHyrtl’s made in theRoss catfish,observations River, near Townsville, Biology. downstream displacementofeggsorlarvae. below obstructions tothemainflow. Upstreammigrationmay compensatefor any timeofyear. Adults may migrateupstreamandcongregationsoften arefound Spawning isassociatedwithfloodingandprobablyoccursduringeven minorfloodsat Habitat. a distinctlyroundedtail. convex profile,fromtheirdorsalfinover theirhead,andamoderatelystocky bodywith length. caudo–dorsal islessthan20%oftheirstandard fintypically They have aslightly margin. Hyrtl’s catfish arenoteasilydistinguishedfromotherNeosilurus species. Their whitish, creamy orsilvery. The finsmay begrey-brown oryellow, often withablack to lightbrown, goldentosilver, ordarktolight grey; sidesarelighterandthebellyis depending onthetimeofday, seasonorlocation. The back anduppersidesmay bedark Description. Family Plotosidae – eel-tailedcatfishes Hyrtl’s catfish,moony ormoonfish Neosilurus hyrtlii hyrtlii Neosilurus haveWhile specificobservations notbeenmadeonLake EyreRegion Mainlyinwaterholes, thoughthey may alsobefound inlakes andringtanks. Commonlygrowmmandmay reach toabout200 350mm;colourvaries, Hyrtl’s catfishistheequalsecondmostwidespreadfish(theotherbeing (Steindachner, 1867) ( Gunther Schmida Gunther ) individuals differ fromHyrtl’s catfishin but undescribedspecies;these River may representacloselyrelated profile andfinray counts. colour, barbel length andposition,head lake eyre 29 ) Ross Felix ( (Allen & Feinberg, 1998) Feinberg, (Allen & The Dalhousie catfish has been recorded in only 14 springs at Dalhousie Dalhousie catfish has been recorded in only 14 The Maximum size in the wild is 120 mm; captive specimens grow to 180 mm. to 180 grow specimens mm; captive wild is 120 in the size Maximum Dalhousie catfish occur in pools and spring outflows where the water is warm where the water in pools and spring outflows Dalhousie catfish occur The smallest mature female found was 44 mm. The number of eggs varies The 44 mm. was found female smallest mature The Dalhousie catfish Dalhousie Neosilurus gloveri Description. are not distinguished They with a lighter belly and fins. dark brown, Dalhousie catfish are shorter and a much eyes black small have They species. easily from other Neosilurus typically caudo-dorsal fin is greater than Their eel-taileddorsal fin than other catfish. restricted distribution and habitat to be are likely The 20% of their standard length. catfishes as no others occur at to distinguish this species from other sufficient Dalhousie Springs. Habitat. vary temperatures between inhabit springs where water they Typically, and very clear. once no sign of distress at 16(C, and show feed will they although and 40ºC, 26ºC where the water enter spring outflows acclimatised. Dalhousie catfish will voluntarily elicits a rapid escape response. of 41.8ºC although water is as high as 40ºC, temperature Biology. is seasonal or if spawning mm long. It is not known fish 72–120 for from 136–1197 the over observations scattered suggest that eggs are Aquarium round. occurs all year Dalhousie diet of The are about 1 mm in diameter and non-adhesive. They substrate. are primarily They fishes and plant matter. invertebrates, catfish includes various species is an ideal aquarium fish. This nocturnal. Distribution. Springs. It is typically but, because of its restricted distribution, is listed as abundant, occur in they Because Society Biology. Fish for Australian the ‘potentially threatened’ by permits. cannot be collected without appropriate a national park they Family Plotosidae – eel-tailed catfishes eel-tailed – Plotosidae Family lake eyre 30 northern andeastern Australia. Itappearstobeextremely rareintheBullooRiver. to determineifthey aredifferent false-spined fromtheothertwo catfishspeciesin from theBullooRiver in1974. Itremainsundescribedasthereareinsufficient specimens Distribution. Biology. Habitat. in thefirstdorsalandpectoralfins;thesespinesarecartilaginous,notbony. black. Bulloofalse-spined catfisharetheonlycentral Australian catfishwithflexible spines have grey mottling onthesides. The undersideiswhitishtogrey andthefinsaremainly Description. Family Plotosidae – eel-tailedcatfishes Nothingisknown ofthebiologythisspecies. False-spined catfishhave onlyinmuddywaterholes. beentaken Known togrow to350mm. Itisusuallydarkontheback andsidesmay The Bulloofalse-spined catfishisknown onlyby two specimenscollected Neosilurus Bulloo false-spined catfish lake eyre 31 (Allen & Feinberg, 1998) & Feinberg, (Allen The Cooper Creek catfish is little known occurring only in the Cooper occurring known Cooper Creek catfish is little The Cooper Creek catfish grow to 600 mm. When taken from muddy water, When taken to 600 mm. catfish grow Cooper Creek It is found only in large, more permanent waterholes in rivers. It has not been It has in rivers. permanent waterholes only in large, more It is found with As of the biology of this recently described species. is known little Very Cooper Creek catfish Creek Cooper Neosilurides cooperensis Description. mottling. and sides, with lighter and darker or tan on their backs light brown are they to In aquaria, colour can vary steel-grey from belly. a creamy-coloured have They in (being the only species catfish has no close relatives Cooper Creek The bluish-black. it genera is obscure. However, its relationships to other catfish its genus), and even other eel-tailed still be confused with may a uniquely rounded head catfish. It has features, These and small eyes. underslung mouth distinctively profile, with a small assist in its identification. and distribution may larger size body, together with its stout Habitat. or ring tanks. lakes waterholes, collected in small ephemeral Biology. that all eel-tailed catfishes, the shape of the urogenital the sexes; papilla distinguishes This whereas that of the male is slender and long. is short and stubby, of the female fish number of eggs per unit length of any and lowest species has the largest egg size A eel-tailed freshwater catfishes. Australian other or of any Eyre Region in the Lake eggs. contain to about 1000 found 450 mm long was female contained mostly snails. Individuals wild fish examined gut contents of the few The are They and fish pellets. aquaria eat snails, shrimps, fish flesh, earthworms in kept of other to eat the scales or eyes known been and have aggressive extremely aquarium inhabitants. most eel-tailed catfishes, this species is nocturnal, Like of its Because during daytime. remain active may they although in muddy water angling species. It is also good eating. it is a worthwhile large size, relatively Distribution. though rarely abundant. where it is widespread and common, system, Creek River Family Plotosidae – eel-tailed catfishes eel-tailed – Plotosidae Family lake eyre 32 Queensland andtheNorthern Territory. This specieshasalsobeenidentifiedfromseveral GulfofCarpentariarivers in for theFinke River arebasedonmisidentifications,they have never beenfound there. though apparentlylesscommon,intheMacumbaRiver inSouth Australia. Past records rivers andBarkley Tableland drainagesintheNorthern Territory. They arealsopresent, Distribution. occasionally by anglers. River inOctober. Silver areidealaquariuminhabitants. tandans The aretaken Thomson and Alice rivers and Torrens CreekinDecemberandfromtheDiamantina juvenilesbarriers. During minorflooding, 15–20 mmlonghave been collectedfromthe migrations,andoftensubstantial congregatedownstream ofroadculverts andother Biology. bores andpoolsassociatedwithartesiansprings. They have beencollectedfromwaterholes, floodingrivers, lakes, flowing ringtanks, Habitat. length. standard and/or finsasaresultofinjury. Their lessthan10% caudo-dorsalfinistypically oftheir caudal finisslightlyroundedin and mouth. The smalleyes aresetlow onthehead,andcaudalfinispointed(the catfishes. tailed They have aslenderbodywithconcave profilebetweenthedorsalfin greenish. theLake EyreRegion,Within silver tandansmay beconfusedwithothereel- golden. Inclearwater (for example theoverall ringtanks), colourationbecomesmore white, silvery-grey orgolden,withlighterunderparts. The finsaretranslucentwhiteto Description. Family Plotosidae – eel-tailedcatfishes barbels than Porochilus argenteus Porochilus Silver tandan Silver tandans probablyspawn Silver duringfloods. tandans They arethoughttoundertake Silver tandansmay befound inany withintheknown waterway distribution. Neosilurus Silver tandansareabundantinalloftheQueenslandLake EyreRegion Silver mm.Inmuddywater, grow to300 tandans thecolourationissilvery- species.Silver often tandans have redmarkingsonitsbody (Zeitz,1896) Neosilurus species). They alsotendtohave longer lake eyre 33 (Crowley & Ivantsoff, 1990) & Ivantsoff, (Crowley The Finke hardyhead is a poorly known, recently described species. It hardyhead is a poorly known, Finke The Finke hardyhead grow to about 65 mm. They have a silvery body with a have They 65 mm. to about hardyhead grow Finke During dry in the gorges of the hardyhead persist in pools periods, Finke Nothing is known of their breeding biology, although it is likely to be similar to be although it is likely of their breeding biology, Nothing is known Finke hardyhead Finke Craterocephalus centralis Family Atherinidae Atherinidae Family – hardyheads Description. sides, get a golden hue on the may They stripe. greenish mid-lateral distinctive, scales Upper body scales and some breeding activity. be associated with may which is not easily species This dark margins. the mid-lateral stripe have below is the only hardyhead in the Finke it other hardyheads. However, distinguished from elsewhere. and is not found River Habitat. waterholes. and other semi-permanent River Finke Biology. or vegetation over eggs being scattered with adhesive to that of other hardyheads, continuously and spawn day eggs each a few probably lay They on the substrate. diet probably consists of The months. a protracted period during the warmer over in aquaria. easily can be kept They and plant material. small invertebrates Distribution. and possibly in the South Territory in the Northern River only occurs in the Finke It is widespread and is present. portion of that drainage when water Australian Fish Society for Australian the are listed as ‘restricted’ by They usually abundant. Biology due to their limited range. lake eyre 34 Society forSociety FishBiologybecauseofitshighlyrestricteddistribution. Springs whereitisabundant.Itregardedas‘potentially threatened’by the Australian Distribution. appropriate permits. Becauseinhabitants. they occur inanationalpark,they cannotbecollectedwithout filamentous algaeandsmallaquaticinvertebrates. They aquarium aresuitable whether they reproducethroughouttheyear orseasonally. Their dietconsistsofgreen scattered over vegetation orthesubstratum. Undernatural conditions,itisnotknown few eggsaday whentemperatures over aremaintained 24ºC. The sticky eggsare Biology. excursions briefvoluntary intowatervery of41.8ºC. temperature toleranceofany Australian fish;they canlive inwater at40ºC andmake remains above 20ºC. Dalhousiehardyheadhave thehighestrecordedvoluntary outflows, andprefer thoseparts of thespringoutflows wherethewater temperature (temperature atthespringsourcesof35–40ºC). They arefound inbothpoolsand Habitat. underside isgentlyarched. pelvic fins.Incontrast,themalehasadorsalprofilethatisalmoststraight,whileits profile fromthesnouttofirstdorsalfinanditsundersideisflatgills differences areonlyevident inmature fish. The female hasaslopingconcave dorsal Craterocephalus consideredtoexhibit obvious sexual differences, althoughthese lateral stripeandthreebandsbelow it.Itistheonlymemberofgenus greenish ordarkmid-lateralstripeusuallywithasinglebandofspotsabove themid- Description. Family Atherinidae – hardyheads Family– Atherinidae Craterocephalus dalhousiensis Craterocephalus Dalhousie hardyhead Nothingisknown oftheirbreedingbiologyinthewild.Inaquaria,they lay a Dalhousiehardyheadoccurinmoderatetolargespringswithwarm outflows The Dalhousiehardyheadgrows to80mm.Itisbrownish withadistinctive The Dalhousiehardyheadisrestrictedtoaboutseven springsatDalhousie (Ivantsoff &Glover, 1974) lake eyre 35 (Steindachner, 1883) (Steindachner, Lake Eyre hardyhead are found in South Australia. Three isolated Three Australia. in South hardyhead are found Eyre Lake Lake Eyre hardyhead grows to 100 mm. They have a silvery body have They mm. to 100 grows Eyre hardyhead Lake Lake Eyre hardyhead have been found in fresh and saline waterholes, in been found Eyre hardyhead have Lake Lake Eyre hardyhead have the highest and widest salinity tolerance of Eyre hardyhead have Lake Craterocephalus eyresii Lake Eyre hardyhead Lake Family Atherinidae Atherinidae – Family hardyheads Description. get a golden hue on their may They stripe. greenish mid-lateral with a distinctive body scales and Upper breeding activity. be associated with may sides, which species is not This dark margins. mid-lateral stripe have the some scales below from other hardyheads. easily distinguished Habitat. no there is occur, In most places where they springs and bore drains. lakes, floods in semi-permanent appear to persist between They permanent water. springs, their presence is unpredictable. in permanent Even refuge waterholes. hardyhead numbers increase Eyre flood and fill, Lake inland lakes After and increasing water with evaporating equally dramatically only to fall dramatically, Eyre as Eyre hardyhead died in Lake an estimated 20 million Lake In 1975, salinity. dried. to the lake before rose to lethal levels and salinity levels fell levels water Biology. and springs to the and other waterholes Neales River in the populations exist: in tributaries Eyre; in the Northern Flinders Ranges south and east of Lake west, Torrens–Willochra Lake The Creek. Torrens–Willochra and in Lake Frome; to Lake this population has never Eyre Regionand is not part of the Lake Creek System Eyre hence its inclusion as Lake Eyre populations, been closely compared to Lake is needed to establish study its correct Additional hardyhead is tentative. Eyre hardyhead fluctuates of Lake abundance and distribution The identification. of Cooper Creek and reaches in the lower be found may they Occasionally, widely. the Diamantina River. these populations However, are probably ephemeral. Eyre hardyhead were Lake once thought to also occur and River in the Finke Basin, Murray-Darling these populations however re-identified and were species. described as new any Australian fish. They can tolerate salinities between 0 and 110 parts per can tolerate salinities between 0 and 110 They fish. Australian any breeding Their is about 35 parts per thousand. salinity of seawater The thousand. are They hardyhead. is probably similar to that of Finke but it biology is unknown, birds when resource for are an important food They suitable aquarium inhabitants. fill. the large inland lakes Distribution. lake eyre 36 Family Atherinidae – hardyheads Family– Atherinidae national park,they cannotbecollectedwithoutappropriatepermits. forSociety FishBiologybecauseofitshighlyrestricteddistribution.Sincethey occurina abundant.Itis regarded as‘potentiallythreatened’bywhere itistypically the Australian Distribution. aquarium inhabitants. consists ofgreenfilamentousalgaeandprobablysmallinvertebrates. They aresuitable the wild,itisnotknown whetherthey reproduceallyear roundorseasonally. The diet Dalhousie hardyhead. The sticky eggsarescattered over vegetation andthesubstrate.In hardyhead lay afew eggseach day andspawn atslightlylower temperatures than Biology. one springsystem. Dalhousie hardyheadoccur. Glover’s hardyheadandDalhousieoccurtogetherin slightly coolerwater (temperature atthespringsourcesof32-35ºC) thanthoseinwhich Habitat. to Dalhousiehardyhead,makingthemdifficult todistinguish. and below themid-lateralstripe,apparentinotherspecies.Morphologically, they aresimilar distinctive greenishordarkmid-lateralstripe. Typically, they lack thespotting pattern above Description. Craterocephalus gloveri Craterocephalus Glover’s hardyhead Nothingisknown oftheirbreedingbiologyinthewild.Inaquaria,Glover’s Glover’s hardyheadinhabitpoolsandoutflows ofmoderatetolargespringswith Glover’s hardyheadgrows to50mm. They arelightbrownish, witha Glover’s hardyheadisknown fromonlythreespringsatDalhousieSprings, (Crowley &Ivantsoff, 1990) lake eyre 37 ), are present. ). Two endangered ). Two Sporobolus pamelae Typha domingensis ), a subspecies primarily found in the Murray– ), a subspecies primarily found ) and spring grass ( ) and cumbungi ( Cyperaceae Eriocaulon sp. The Aramac Springs hardyhead was discovered in 1994. Its discovery marked Its discovery in 1994. discovered Aramac Springs hardyhead was The Little is known of the life history of Aramac Springs hardyhead. Schools of juveniles history Springs hardyhead. Schools Aramac of of the life is known Little Aramac Springs hardyhead occur in a single large pool, about 150 m long and 30 m occur in a single large pool, about 150 Aramac Springs hardyhead Aramac Springs hardyhead Springs Aramac Craterocephalus Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum fulvus Distribution. Darling Basin. Its specific taxonomic status is yet to be fully determined. It may prove the prove to be fully determined. It may is yet status Its specific taxonomic Darling Basin. hardyhead. same species as the non-speckled date, it has been found To Cooper Creek System. the first record of a hardyhead in the upper Spring group. only in a single large pool near the Edgbaston Habitat. pool The springs. artesian by that is fed ephemeral wetland pool is part of a larger, The wide. is about 0.6 m, depth throughout the pool maximum water The appears to be permanent. in the pool mainly vegetation The m deep. that is about 1.4 an area at one end for except comprises sedges ( hardyhead non-speckled Aramac Springs hardyhead appears closely related to The ( Description. Biology. been observed the margins of the pool in around long) have mm 15–20 or sub-adults (about gambusia is present, but introduced The fishes. other native with several exist They June. not abundant. Family Atherinidae Atherinidae Family – hardyheads plants, pipewort ( plants, pipewort lake eyre 38 Distribution. fish for largerspecies. ideal aquariuminhabitants. They areusedaslive baitand probablyarevaluable forage invertebrates. They appeartobemature at30–35 Desertrainbowfish mmlong. are feed after 1to3days. Inthewild,desertrainbowfish eatfilamentousalgaeandsmall The eggshatch after 7days at24ºC. Newly hatched areabout4–5 mm,andbeginto fry higher thanabout20ºC. The eggsare0.8–0.95 mmindiameterandhave sticky tendrils. In aquaria,desertrainbowfish lay 20–100 eggs,often daily, whenever temperatures are perch scavenging was observed below thespawning groups. around thestemsofwater snowflake. A school ofrainbowfish andwestern chanda to bedepositedover theexposed rootsofriparianvegetation (mostlyblack teatree)or water snowflake ( water temperature was 25ºC. tocourtfemales Maleswere of observed underastand waterhole associatedwithaflowing borenearLake Dunnduringlateautumn, whenthe Biology. andflowingring tanks bores. Habitat. as far back astheseconddorsalfin. short andthesecondlong. The analfinoriginatesbelow thefirstdorsalfinandextends their belliesmay bepinkish.Desertrainbowfish have two dorsalfins,thefirstbeing are much brighterandhave moreintensecolourinthebodyandfins. When spawning, usually arepalerabove below, andsilvery withpalefins.Specimensfromclearwater muddy water, brightcoloursaregreatlysubdued.Desertrainbowfish thetypically blue-green onefromrivers east ofandincludingtheDiamantina. When taken from common: apurplishonefromtheGeorginaRiver westward aroundLake Eyreanda stripes alongthesides,andaniridescentsheentoscales. Two colourforms are the river system butmosthave andhabitat, aslightchequered pattern onthefins,pale Description. Family– Melanotaeniidae rainbowfishes Melanotaenia splendida tatei splendida Melanotaenia Desert rainbowfish Courtshipandspawning behaviour inasmall,clear hasbeenobserved Desertrainbowfish includingwaterholes, arefound inmosthabitats, lakes, Desertrainbowfish grow to80mm.Colourationisvariable, dependingon The desertrainbowfish iswidespreadandabundantinallthelargerrivers Nymphoides crenata Nymphoides ) nearthesteeplyslopingbanks.Eggsappeared (Zietz,1896) also insouthernNew Guinea. Rockhampton inQueensland, and in Western Australia tojustsouthof northern Australia, fromthePilbara subspecies occurthroughout in theLake EyreRegion. Related lake eyre 39 (Unmack, Saeed & Crowley, 1991) Saeed & Crowley, (Unmack, The red-finned blue-eye grows to a maximum length of 30 mm. The body is The of 30 mm. to a maximum length grows red-finned blue-eye The Red-finned blue-eye are generally found in shallow water (less than 100 mm and (less than 100 water in shallow found are generally blue-eye Red-finned Mature males do not defend fixed territories, but instead defend a ‘space’ that is, in a ‘space’ but instead defend territories, fixed males do not defend Mature Red-finned blue-eye Red-finned Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis Ivantsoff Family Pseudomugilidae – blue-eyes – Pseudomugilidae Family Description. A series lining can be seen. and the body cavity rear half is translucent The golden to silver. In males, the outer margins of all occur along the middle of the sides. of iridescent spangles caudal fin has horizontal red bars, The and caudal fins, are red. the pectoral fins, except a have sexes red on the fins. Both have generally do not Females dorsally and ventrally. mm are distinctly coloured. fish up to about 12 Young brilliant sky-blue ring around the eye. anterior part is metallic and the is yellow the posterior part of the body above, from Viewed but are be confused with the introduced gambusia can blue-eye blue. Red-finned one. whereas gambusia only have dorsal fins two distinguished by Habitat. vegetation to 5 mm) where emergent is abundant. During spring, summer and down a be distributed throughout may red-finned blue-eye day, and in winter during the autumn, of the outflow spring.warm During cold winter nights individuals congregate around the fry and young hatched mm, while newly occur in depths greater than 10–15 Adults spring. When mm deep. in areas less than 15 usually are found mm long) fish (less than 12 comprise several that may loose schools form people, red-finned blue-eye by approached the response. Gradually, be a predator avoidance may behaviour schooling This hundred fish. and displaying. begin feeding of fish disperse into smaller groups, which schools Biology. a small, open- defend male will A given of the habitat. nature the patchy part, defined by as a result of chasing clumps of the emergent vegetation). If, area (usually defined by water that he will defend area, small open-water to another another male, the first male moves larger individuals. to way smaller individuals give Generally, period. a variable area for males. Males equally matched tens of seconds between last several may display Aggressive within their encounter they females mature with any to spawn and attempt will display space. defended duration and are of variable displays Courtship day. Courtship activities occur throughout the is with outspread fins. If the female the male swimming around the female involve At this time, the male can be observed shimmying. side. the pair will align side by receptive, the be released over Eggs may is probably the time of egg release and fertilisation. This been observed in all months. have substrate or onto submerged vegetation. Displays fry have hatched on the substrate and newly occasionally been found eggs have Developing months. During the been observed in all months, but are more common during the warmer areas of the spring away mm congregate in shallow of about 6–12 months, juveniles warmer on the margins of are usually found from the source area. In the cooler months, juveniles the source area. lake eyre 40 damage fromdomesticandferal animalshave proved tobethemostsignificantthreats. threat ofcollectionfor the aquariumtrade. The presenceofgambusiaandhabitat destructionthe potentialfor habitat becauseofthelimitedsize andthe ofthehabitat; damage causedbyposed by: stock thepresenceofgambusia;habitat andferal animals; based ontheapparentextinction ofpopulationsfromthreespringsandthethreats is regardedas‘endangered’ by the Australian for Society FishBiology. This status is Only five distinct,naturally occurring populationsinfive springsareknown. This species December 1992. During August 1993, anotherpopulationwas discovered atEdgbaston. September 1991, anotherpopulationwas discovered, butthisbecameextinct by had becomeextinct sothatred-finnedblue-eye were known fromonlyfour springs.In of discovery, sixpopulationswere found infive springs.ByJuly 1991, populations two springs intheEdgbastonGroupwhereitsabundanceanddistributionvaries. At thetime Distribution. captive populations,althoughrecentefforts arepromising. should notbekept withotherspecies. Someearlydifficulty occurredinestablishing Red-finned blue-eye make interestingandattractive althoughthey aquariuminhabitants, length.Individualsmaymm total reach 15 mmin6–10 weeks. Fry are4–5 mmandbeginfeeding 1day after hatching. Both sexes mature atabout15 filaments thatattach orsubstrate. tovegetation At 28ºC, hatching occurs in7–10 days. eggs aweek. Eggsaresphericalandopaque,1.2–1.4 mmindiameter, andhave In captivity, spawning occursattemperatures above 20ºC. Females produceupto20 is suspectedthatred-finnedblue-eye areopportunistic omnivores. the substrate,fromsurface andfromthewater ofsubmergedvegetation column.It the expelled cloud.Individualshave picking alsobeenobserved particlesdirectlyfrom mouthful ofsubstrate,expelling matter fromthemouthandthenpicking particlesfrom The dietofred-finnedblue-eye isunknown. Individualshave a taking beenobserved The red-finnedblue-eye was discovered in1989. Itisknown onlyfrom lake eyre 41 for central Australia are now applicable to are now Australia central for (Klunzinger, 1880) (Klunzinger, Ambassis castelnaui The western chanda perch is widespread in the larger rivers, although its widespread in the larger rivers, is perch chanda western The Western chanda perch can grow to at least 60 mm. They are generally They mm. to at least 60 can grow perch chanda Western Western chanda perch may occur in any environment, but appear to be most but appear to environment, occur in any may perch chanda Western members of the genus, it probably other Like of its biology. is known Little Western chanda perch chanda Western Ambassis mulleri western chanda perch. chanda western Description. Description. lining and backbone body cavity The tint. greenish-silver with a translucent, but often The pattern. resulting in a netting darker, edges of the scales are often The can be seen. leading and the pelvic and anal fins a white leading edge a black have dorsal fin may is laterally compressed perch chanda western The edge. Otherwise, the fins are clear. directed mouth. and an upward large scales, a large eye and, has relatively Habitat. and ring tanks of flowing and outflows as some lakes habitatscommon in clearer such bores. Biology. the substrate or onto over eggs small (less than 0.5 mm in diameter) adhesive scatters to be hours. Breeding does not appear in 12–36 to hatch are likely These vegetation. to flooding, advantage of although this species appears to be able to take linked road below been found have of juveniles dispersal. Large numbers for floodwaters and is primarily carnivorous perch chanda western The crossings during minor flows. and aquatic and (cladocerans, ostracods and copepods), eats small crustaceans small fishes. It is a suitable to also take aquarium fish, but insects. It is likely terrestrial to be an important species. It is likely of more colourful in favour is usually overlooked fish. larger species for forage Distribution. All Australia. of northern much It also occurs across greatly. abundance fluctuates of records previous Family Ambassidae Ambassidae Family – glassfishes lake eyre 42 Family Percichthyidae – codsandperches from theMurray–Darling goldenperch ( Diamantina andGeorginacatchments. This specieswas recentlyrecognised asdistinct Distribution. unregulated nature oftherivers inthisregion. given ofthisspecies and therelatively theabundance anddispersalability unnecessary into the Thomson River catchment (for example, Lake Dunn).Stocking isprobably the lower CooperCreekinSouth Australia. Hatchery-bred fingerlingshave beenstocked alsoexistsThis in speciesisamajoranglingspecies,andsmallcommercialfishery All life arecarnivorous. stages Adults areknown toeatfish,shrimpsandcrayfish. mm TL atoneyear ofage. 5.5mm between TL and4.7–4.9 mm TL. Size varies between 150 mm,and100 and300 average 3.2mm TL. The eggyolk isabsorbedin5-6days atwhich are postlarva stage average 3.9mm. The eggshatch in33–34 hoursat24–25ºC. The newly hatched larvae semi-buoyantfemale may 000 eggs.Oncewater produce500 hardened,theeggs reproduction and/ortoallow for downstream displacementofeggsandlarvae. A 2.5kg soil. previouslyAdult dry fishmove upstreamduringhigherflows, presumablyfor spawning, whileunknown, may berelatedtochemicals releasedfromflooding temperatures over for Specificstimulifor 23.5ºC spawning. areprobablynecessary recruitment may alsooccuronlaterfloodsduringthesameseason. Water biology. occursduringthefirstfloodingofseason.Limited Spawning typically Murray–Darling goldenperch which isasimilarspeciesandlikely tohave similar Biology. they arealsoabundantinlakes. Habitat. Murray–Darling species),filamentsonthepelvicfinsandalarge,roundedtail. protruding lower jaw withconspicuousporesunderneath(much largerthanthoseofthe greenish togreyish. They canberecognisedby thesmall,laterallycompressedhead, lighter onthesidestoacreamy yellow onthebelly. Inclearwater, they may bemore Lakeand 23kg. Eyregoldenperch areusuallyyellowish ontheback, tan becoming and aweight of5.6kg; incomparisontheMurray–Darling goldenperch reaches 760 mm Description. not yet beenscientificallydescribed. Macquaria Macquaria Lake Eyregoldenperch, yellowbelly orcallop The following from paragraphisprimarily(butnotsolely)basedondata Lake Eyregoldenperch aremostlyfound inrivers andlargercreeks. At times, This isthelargestfishfound incentral Australia. Itgrows mm toabout600 Goldenperch iswidespread andabundantintheCooperCreek, species A Macquaria ambigua ambigua ambigua Macquaria ), althoughithas lake eyre 43 (Richardson, 1845) (Richardson, species A, subsp. A A, subsp. species Murray-Darling golden perch, yellowbelly or callop yellowbelly golden perch, Murray-Darling Bulloo golden perch or yellowbelly perch golden Bulloo Macquaria ambigua ambigua Macquaria Family Percichthyidae – cods and perches – Percichthyidae Family The Bulloo golden perch is considered to be common throughout the Bulloo River. It the Bulloo River. throughout considered to be common is perch Bulloo golden The and more closely golden perch separate to the Murray–Darling is recognised as being is probably similar biology of this species The perch. Eyre golden related to the Lake perch. Eyre golden to that of the Lake Family Percichthyidae – cods and perches cods and – Percichthyidae Family This is a translocated species. Murray–Darling golden perch have been stocked twice been stocked have golden perch is a translocated species. Murray–Darling This Creek on the Barkley Whistleduck Drainage, once in River in the Hay–Plenty Eyre. It has Lake towards flows which Bore, and once into Clayton Tablelands a popular angling and eating fish because it is probably been introduced elsewhere, whether this species will hybridise It is unknown and fingerlings are readily available. species. with other related golden perch lake eyre 44 because itisapopularanglingandeatingfish,fingerlingsarereadilyavailable. population.Murray aself-maintaining codmayestablish beenintroducedelsewhere, 1989 and1990. Specimenshave beencaptured, althoughitisnotknown ifthey will This isatranslocatedspecies,which was stocked intotheCooperCreekCatchment in Family Percichthyidae – cods andperches Maccullochella peelii peelii peelii Maccullochella Murray cod (Mitchell, 1838) lake eyre 45 (Gunther, 1864) (Gunther, Banded grunter has a patchy distribution in the Lake Eyre Region. They Eyre Region. in the Lake distribution has a patchy grunter Banded Banded grunter reach 200 mm. It is usually light brown, bronze or bronze 200 It is usually light brown, mm. reach grunter Banded In central Australia it occurs in rivers. Loose schools or colonies usually schools Loose in rivers. it occurs Australia In central Eyre biology in the Lake breeding of banded grunter Nothing is known Banded grunter Banded Amniataba percoides Description. Description. to eight are five There lighter on the sides and belly. becoming golden on the back, bar being about two bars on their sides, each or brown black to distinct vertical faint larger individuals or from those wide; bars become less distinct in scales to four barring the vertical be recognised by can banded grunter The in muddy water. taken to the front edge of the eye. back does not extend clearly which and a small mouth, Habitat. or sand, gravel outcrops in areas with coarse timber or rocky occur around fallen cobble substrates. Biology. Spawning is based on populations elsewhere. presented here All information Region. often how It is not known is 26–33C. temperature occurs at night when water occur independently of flooding. may Fish between but spawning individuals spawn, sink and collect 70 and 90 grams produce 40 000–77 000 eggs, which non-adhesive eggs hatch The in diameter. mm eggs are 0.6–0.85 Water-hardened in the substrate. when 2 days Larvae feed actively 23–27.5ºC. between in 48-60 hours at temperatures mm in 6 to 7 weeks. to 35–40 grow banded grunter old. In a hatchery, and aquatic (shrimps) but mainly eat small crustaceans are omnivorous, Adults and has been observed eating the carcass of also scavenge species may This insects. of baits and is excellent on a variety captured is often grunter a tortoise. Banded limits its acceptabilityeating, although the small size to anglers. It is a good aquarium because they and with fish larger than itself, only in groups fish, but should be kept and prepared foods. will eat frozen They can be aggressive. Distribution. Family Terapontidae – Terapontidae Family grunters A are usually common. where they rivers, and Frew occur in the Georgina, Finke is also common banded grunter The the Neales River. for single record exists Australia. northern and eastern of western, throughout much lake eyre 46 Family Terapontidae – gruntersFamily Terapontidae – species willhybridise with Welch’s grunter. angling andeatingfishfingerlingsarereadilyavailable. Itisunknown whetherthis Barkley Tableland. Ithasprobablybeenintroducedelsewhere, becauseitisapopular stocked intoClayton Bore, which leadsintoLake Eyreand Whistleduck Creekonthe This isatranslocatedspeciesfromtheMurray–Darling System. Silver perch have been Bidyanus bidyanus Bidyanus Silver perch (Mitchell, 1838) lake eyre 47 (McCulloch & Waite, 1917) Waite, & (McCulloch Welch’s grunter is widespread and abundant, from the Georgina River east Georgina River is widespread and abundant, from the grunter Welch’s Length 250 mm and about 300 250 mm and recorded as been g, Length some have although Welch’s grunter is usually found in waterholes. Schools congregate near fallen Schools in waterholes. is usually found grunter Welch’s Spawning occurs during the warmer months and it is likely that flooding is months and it is likely occurs during the warmer Spawning Welch’s grunter or black bream or black grunter Welch’s Bidyanus welchi Family Terapontidae – Terapontidae Family grunters Description. lighter sides and belly. with colouration silvery-grey, Body kg. 1.5 large as 375 mm and especially at smaller grunter, to distinguish from Barcoo difficult are grunter Welch’s as deep and lacks is more than three times as long grunter Welch’s body of a The sizes. and times as long as deep, is two-and-a-half grunter body of Barcoo The spots. black be not sides (although these may present along their spots are often black large irregular present in muddy conditions). Habitat. timber or other cover. Biology. been published. have necessary No details spawning. behaviour of spawning for is similar to that of the is possible and egg development Hormone-induced spawning Larvae begin 30 hours at 24ºC. after eggs hatch non-adhesive Buoyant, perch. silver with In the wild, eggs are thought to float downstream spawning. after 5 days feeding floodwaters. rates. Laboratory suggest that males less on growth studies is no information There 000 eggs. Several produce 100 of 280 mm may and females than 240 mm are immature suggests This ripe. been running mm caught in early summer have males of 180–200 is not apparent. dimorphism Sexual smaller sizes. occur at much may that spawning included shrimps and small fishes. Gut contents have is carnivorous. grunter Welch’s fish and animal flesh, Individuals maintained in aquariums will also accept earthworms, matter, preparations including vegetable food insect and beetle adults and larvae, wet smaller hooks and meaty are readily angled with baits. They and dry pellets. Distribution. to the Bulloo River. lake eyre 48 not growlarge. very They may bekept asaquariumfish,butshouldonlybekept in an excellent flavour andprovide exceptional anglingfor its size; unfortunately, they do behaviour thathasenabledthem tocolonisesomany boredrains.Spangledperch have spangled perch swimming10 milesin6hoursalongasinglewheelrut. Itisthis colonise new water bodies.In1947, aMrBruce Shipway notedhundredsofyoung This torapidly specieshasremarkabledispersalabilitiesandaparticularlygoodability that they have notmigrated throughoverland flow. well oroutsidethefrontdoorafter adownpour. Inmostsituations, itcannotbeproven reports usuallyfollow findingfishinanunusuallocation;for example, inarecentlysunk also beenproposedthatthisspeciescanaestivate, eitheraseggsoradults. These Spangled perch is themostcommonlyreportedfishfound during‘rainsoffishes.’ Ithas and113 24000 24 gand65contained eggs,respectively. 200 Growth ratesarenotknown, butfemales mature at78mmandmales58mm.Fish substrate. The eggshatch in50hoursat23–26.5C. beginfeeding Larvae 2days later. Small, sinkingnon-adhesive eggs(0.65–0.85 mmdiameter)arescattered over the Pairstrigger spawning. orsmallgroupscongregatein shallow areas,usuallyatnight. spawn attemperatures over 20-26ºC. Floodingisunnecessary, althoughitwilloften Biology. shoreline. Itisunusualnottofindseveral inagiven habitat. ruts. Inclearwater, smallschools ofsimilarlysized fishmay beseencruising the rivers, lakes, springs andeven boredrains,ringtanks, wells, water troughsandwheel Habitat. slightlyforkedto very whereas tail, Welch’s thatisclearlyforked. grunter hasatail They canbedifficult todistinguishfrom Welch’s grunter. Spangledperch have asquare prominent. with afew bluey-brown speckles presentontheirsides.Inclearerwater speckles more Description. aiyTrpnia – gruntersFamily Terapontidae – Leiopotherapon unicolor Leiopotherapon Spangled perch orbobby cod Based onstudies conductedintheMurray–Darling system spangledperch Spangledperch live inalmostany wet habitat. They have beenrecordedfrom Length 150 mm.Inmuddyconditionslargelysilvery mmoccasionally300 (Gunther, 1859) parts oftheLake EyreRegion. southern drainages.Itisknown fromall exceptit occursalmosteverywhere the most widespreadfishin Australia where Distribution. frozen andpreparedfoods. they canbeaggressive. They readilyeat groups andwithlargerfishes,because The spangledperch isthe lake eyre 49 (McCulloch & Waite, 1917) Waite, & (McCulloch Barcoo grunter is widespread from the Georgina River east to the Bulloo River. east to the Bulloo is widespread from the Georgina River grunter Barcoo Commonly reach 200 found. than this are occasionally specimens larger mm; reach Commonly Spawning occurs during the warmer months and it is likely that flooding is necessary months and it is likely the warmer occurs during Spawning Barcoo grunter is usually found in waterholes. Schools congregate near fallen timber congregate near fallen Schools waterholes. in found is usually grunter Barcoo Barcoo grunter or black bream black or grunter Barcoo Scortum barcoo They may be locally abundant at times. However, they are typically uncommon. They are also They are typically uncommon. they be locally abundant at times. However, may They Territory. draining into the Gulf of Carpentaria in Queensland and the Northern in rivers found Distribution. Biology. Biology. can They been undertaken breeding biology or ecology. on their have No studies spawning. for but a eating qualities are unknown, Their are used with meatybe angled if small hooks baits. can be They good reason! to as leathery for grunters referred is often closely related species are rarely available. aquarium fish, if housed singly in large aquaria, but they an attractive Habitat. or other cover. Description. large irregular A few belly. becoming lighter on the sides and colouration is silvery grey, Body these in muddy water one side or both sides of the fish, although be present on spots may grunter. Welch’s from to distinguish is difficult grunter Barcoo tend not to be present. Family Terapontidae – Terapontidae Family grunters lake eyre 50 and insomeeast-coast drainages. Creek andtheBullooRiver. They arealsofound throughouttheMurray–Darling System Distribution. a valuable forage fishfor largerspecies. as 2–3 years. They areanattractive thoughlittle known aquariumfishandarelikely tobe are about2mm. They reach spawning size after oneyear andmay possiblylive aslong hatchthe eggsuntilfry in50hours,after which care.Larvae thereisnofurtherparental the water surface. Eggsareabout0.5mmindiameterand areelongate.Malesguard eggs,which and2000 areattached 1000 and depositbetween toahardobjectnear than 20ºC, althoughfloodingmay notbeaprerequisite.Females mature atabout30mm usually spawn inspringandearlysummer, attemperatures duringflooding, ofmore populations thatarelikely todiffer alittle totheLake EyreRegion populations. They Biology. Habitat. to theothercarpgudgeonspecies. develop ayellow stomach, butlack fincolouration. These aredifficult toidentifyrelative andanalfins,oftenblood-red dorsal,pelvic,tail withathin,brightwhitemargin.Females havetail adarkpattern aroundthemargins.Duringspawning season,malesdevelop bellies.Scalesalongthemid-lateralregionoftheirbodiesfromheadto silvery Description. Family Eleotridae – gudgeons Hypseleotris klunzingeri klunzingeri Hypseleotris Western carpgudgeon The onlystudies undertaken onthisspecieswere onMurray–Darling Basin Western inhabitrivers carpgudgeontypically andsmallercreeks. Western carpgudgeongrow colourwith to60mm.Itisusuallyalighttan Western carpgudgeoniswidespreadandareusuallyabundantinCooper (Ogilby, 1898) lake eyre 51 species A species Midgley’s carp gudgeon is widespread and often common in Cooper gudgeon is widespread and often carp Midgley’s Midgley’s carp gudgeon commonly reach 40 mm. They are usually an are usually They 40 mm. reach carp gudgeon commonly Midgley’s Midgley’s carp gudgeon typically and smaller creeks. inhabit rivers Midgley’s No field studies have been undertaken. been populations outside the In aquaria, have No field studies Midgley’s carp gudgeon Midgley’s Hypseleotris olive colour with lighter bellies. Males can change their body colour from olive to body colour from olive their with lighter bellies. Males can change colour olive dorsal coloured bands on their anal and up to four have They minutes. in dusky black, a thinner by half of the fin, followed a broad dusky band on the lower have They fins. is an even there Occasionally, thinner white band. then an even orange-red band and this is rare. white band can appear blue, although The band. thinner outer orange are These fin colouration. but lack golden coloured stomach, a develop Females primaryThe differences from the other carp gudgeon species. to distinguish difficult mid-lateral of distinctive and the lack colouration spawning female are fin colouration, carp gudgeon. in western scale markings present Habitat. Biology. 20 between and early summer at temperatures in spring spawn Eyre Region Lake at about mature necessary Flooding is not and 24ºC. Females to induce spawning. 200–400About (not eggs are laid on a hard object on or near the substrate 25 mm. The about 1 mm in diameter. carp gudgeon). Eggs are as in western near the surface They Larvae mm. are 3–4 days. occurs in 7–8 male guards the eggs until hatching They years. as long as 2–3 possibly live and may one year after size spawning reach to be a valuable likely are They aquarium fish. though little-known are an attractive larger species. fish for forage Distribution. throughout the Murray–Darling are also found They Creek and the Bulloo River. drainages. and in some east-coast System Family Eleotridae – gudgeons – Eleotridae Family Description. lake eyre 52 throughout theMurray–Darling System. Thomson rivers. They areneitherwidespread norcommon. They arealsofound Distribution. forage fishfor largerspecies. They areanattractive thoughlittle-known aquariumfish. They arelikely tobeavaluable populations appeartobebasicallyidenticalintheirbiologyMidgley’s carpgudgeon. Biology. Habitat. their headandthefirstdorsalfinonlower belly. distinctive scalemarkings (unlike inwestern carpgudgeon)andalack ofscalesbetween differencesThe primary arefincolouration,female spawning colouration, alack of Lake’s carpgudgeonaredifficult toidentifyrelative totheothercarpgudgeonspecies. stomach, which changes Females tobrightpinkclosespawning. have clearfins. orange bandborderedby athinnerwhiteband.Females develop agoldencoloured They have bandonthelower adusky portionofthefin,followed by anouterthinner males, dependingupontheirmood. They have threebandsontheiranalanddorsalfins. with lighterbellies.Body colourationcanchange black fromolive todusky inminutes Description. Family Eleotridae – gudgeons Hypseleotris speciesB Lake’s carpgudgeon Nofieldstudies have Inaquaria,Murray–Darling beenundertaken. Basin Typically inhabitrivers andsmallercreeks. Lake’s carpgudgeoncommonlyreach 40mm.Itsbodyisanolive colour Lake’s carpgudgeonareknown fromtheupperreaches oftheBarcoo and lake eyre 53 species mogurnda species have all been combined into one account since they into one account since all been combined species have mogurnda Length 150 mm. The dorsal surface tends to be darker coloured, while coloured, tends to be darker dorsal surface The mm. 150 Length No field studies have been undertaken on Lake Eyre Region populations. Eyre Region been undertaken on Lake have No field studies Mogurndas occur in a variety of habitats including large thermal springs, Frew mogurnda or purple-spotted gudgeon or purple-spotted mogurnda Frew Mogurnda The following The following are all very similar in their biology. Only a specialist could identify them to species. Only a specialist could identify them are all very similar in their biology. be identified based on locality. can they so coexist none However, Description. a series of round spots that sides of the body have The the belly region is very light. or more, light- are a series of 10 Along the sides are typically dark red and light blue. All fins a series of red stripes. have cheeks The bands. irregular vertical yellowish blue and other colours, with with reddish, the pectorals are brightly marked except a reasonably large have They on the anal fin and second dorsal. an outer white band species listed various The body. cigar-shaped thick and a stocky, their size mouth for to be confused with other to distinguish, but are unlikely here presently are difficult species. Eyre Region Lake Habitat. in gorges and smaller creeks. large waterholes Biology. will they In nature, mogurndas is similar. Australian of all breeding biology The at spawn In aquaria, they months of the year. throughout the warmer probably spawn 200 between and 800 lay usually on eggs, Females of more than 20ºC. temperatures long and are as a pipe. Eggs are about 3 mm the underside of a hard object such Larvae in about 7 days. male guards the eggs until fryThe hatch elongate in shape. mm long. are about 5–6 at 60 is reached to about 50 mm in 3 months. Maturity can grow In aquaria, they are repeated in aquaria as long as temperatures are generally mm. Spawnings history life any which for species are some of the few These 20ºC. maintained above individuals, albeit based on Australian central based upon is available information and probably aquarium observations. be carnivorous Mogurndas are considered to and small fish. eat invertebrates are not they interesting breeding behaviour, colouration and Despite their attractive pets, but need to excellent make They in the aquarium trade. common exceptionally their tank mates, towards can be aggressive with robust fish as they be kept and guarding eggs. especially when spawning Family Eleotridae – gudgeons – Eleotridae Family lake eyre 54 status hasnotyet beendesignated. However, they were onlyrecentlydescribedasnew species,hencetheirconservation small populationsize. The othermogurndapopulationsqualifyfor listingas‘restricted.’ ‘vulnerable’ by the Australian for FishBiology, Society owing toitsrestrictedrangeand Whistleduck CreekSystem ontheBarkley Tablelands. The Flindersmogurndaislistedas Springs. Another isolatedpopulationofunknown affinity occursintheFrew River– found onlyintheFinke system, whileDalhousiemogurndaarerestrictedto collected in1955 which hasbeenidentifiedtentatively asthisspecies.Finke mogurndaare Ranges andupperBarcoo River, withasinglespecimenknown fromtheBullooRiver Flinders Ranges, Barcoo, limitedareaintheGammon orBulloomogurnda,occurs inavery Distribution. Family Eleotridae – gudgeons Each speciesoccurswithinalimitedrange,noneofwhich overlap. The Mogurnda thermophila Mogurnda Dalhousie mogurndaorpurplespotted gudgeon (Allen &Jenkins, 1999) lake eyre 55 (Zeitz, 1896) (Allen & Jenkins, 1999) & Jenkins, (Allen Finke mogurnda or purple spotted gudgeon or purple spotted mogurnda Finke Mogurnda larapintae Flinders Ranges, Barcoo, or Bulloo mogurnda or purple spotted gudgeon spotted or purple mogurnda or Bulloo Barcoo, Ranges, Flinders Mogurnda clivicola Family Eleotridae – gudgeons – Eleotridae Family Family Eleotridae – gudgeons – Eleotridae Family lake eyre 56 algae. their comicalbehaviourWith andeaseofkeepingthey andbreeding, make itemsincludevarious invertebratesconcentrations aslow as0.8mg/L.Dietary and least 40ºC andsalinitiesashigh as60ppt,andthey have been collectedatoxygen longer thanoneyear incaptivity. They cantoleratetemperatures between 5 andat occursin10typically days. areabout5–6 Larvae mmlong. They rarelyseemtolive mm longandareelongateinshape.Malesguardtheeggs untilhatching, which hatch. Females lay typically 50–250 eggsontheceilingofacave. Eggsareabout3 26ºC. Desertgoby willspawn atcoolertemperatures althoughtheeggsmay not successful spawning canoccuratanytime oftheyear iftemperatures areabove field study. Itisknown tospawn fromNovember throughMarch. Inaquaria, Biology. Habitat. distinguished frommostotherfishesby theirfusedpelvicfins they couldbeconfusedmake themrelatively easytoidentify. Gobiescaneasily be size. andthelackTheir limitedrangeandhabitats, ofcoexisting specieswithwhich dorsal finshave yellow insteadofblue.Desertgoby have largemouthsfor very their The yellow form isbasicallythesameasblue,except thattheanalandsecond band onthefin’s edge. andpectoralfinstendtobedarkwithawhitemargin. The tail obvious bluehue. The marginshave athin,bright,yellow stripeborderedby awhite remainder ofthefinisdusky. The seconddorsalfinandtheanalaredarkwithan brighter. The outeredgeofthefinhasabroad,brilliantyellow band,andthe fin oftheblueform hasthe samebluespotasthefemale, althoughitislargerand colourforms,with two oneabright blueandtheotherapaleyellow. The firstdorsal of theirfirstdorsalfinjustabove thefinbase.Males have intenselycolouredfins, Females have typically clearfins,withtheexception ofasmallbluespotattheback dark.Oftengo very theirwholebodyturns duringbreeding, goldenyellow. may oreggs,mating, be light.Males,especiallywhenfeeding, guardingaterritory irregular lighter-coloured barringpattern over theirbodies. Their bellyregiontendsto Description. Family Gobiidae– gobies Chlamydogobius eremius eremius Chlamydogobius Desert goby This istheonlyspeciesincentral Australia thathasundergoneextensive Desert goby found aretypically inrivers, springsandboredrains. Reach 60mminlength.Body colourrangesfromsolidtan-brown toan (Zietz, 1896) to Clayton Bore. southwards aroundLake Eyre abundant intheNealesRiver, is widespreadandoften Distribution. excellent aquariumfish. The desertgoby lake eyre 57 (Larson, 1995) (Larson, species by their very the first dorsal and small fins, especially species by The Elizabeth Springs goby is restricted to Elizabeth Springs in is restricted Elizabeth Springs goby The Growing to a maximum size of 62 mm, they are a greyish colour are a greyish of 62 mm, they maximum size to a Growing Restricted to the larger springs at Elizabeth Springs where they live in the live at Elizabeth Springs where they to the larger springs Restricted at least under desert goby, details basically the same as for are Spawning Elizabeth Springs goby Springs Elizabeth Chlamydogobius micropterus pelvic fins. Habitat. and 1000 is estimated to be between size population Total channels. small outflow 2000 individuals. Biology. is probably similar to that of desert goby. aquarium conditions, and their biology of the are suitable aquarium inhabitants but are generally ignored in favour They cannot be are present in a national park, they they As more colourful desert goby. collected without appropriate permits. Distribution. Society Fish for Australian the by Queensland. It is listed as ‘endangered’ western and cattle limited range, decreasing spring flows to its extremely owing Biology, trampling. Chlamydogobius Family Gobiidae – gobies – Gobiidae Family Description. just a hint of Males get between males and females. difference with little overall, bottom blue spot on the rear a faint dorsal fins and have darkness on their anal from other can be distinguished They dorsal fins. corner of their first lake eyre 58 the bluespotontheirfirstdorsalfin,like other Description. Family Gobiidae– gobies ‘restricted’ by the Australian for FishBiology. Society Springs, whereitisusuallycommon.Owing toitslimitedrange,itislistedas Distribution/Habitat. are presentinanationalpark,they cannotbecollectedwithoutappropriatepermits. although they aregenerallyignoredinfavour ofthemorecolourfuldesertgoby. As they probably similartothatofdesertgobies. They aquariuminhabitants, aresuitable Biology. geographic rangemakes confusionunlikely. not easilydistinguishedfromother get darker finsthanfemales, thoughnotnearlyascolourfullydesertgobies. They are Chlamydogobius gloveri Chlamydogobius Dalhousie goby Nobiologicalstudies have inthewild. beenundertaken Their biologyis Grows toabout40mm.Greyish overall withapalerstomach. They have The Dalhousiegoby isrestrictedtoabout28springsatDalhousie (Larson, 1996) Chlamydogobius Chlamydogobius species.However, theirlimited species.Malestendto lake eyre 59 the water. g (Larson, 1995) (Larson, the habitat and foulin g ) or near the undercut clumps of spring grass. Juveniles may be may grass. Juveniles ) or near the undercut clumps of spring lin species. However, their limited geographic range makes confusion makes their limited geographic range species. However, p Occurs in small numbers in artesian springs of the Edgbaston Springs Length 60 mm. They look almost identical to desert gobies (see the identical to desert look almost They 60 mm. Length tram p Shallow, clear water bodies free of larger fishes. Recent specimens have specimens larger fishes. Recent bodies free of clear water Shallow, occurs at populations. Spawning only from captive is known Reproduction Edgbaston goby Edgbaston Chlamydogobius squamigenus Cherax destructor found year round, but appear to be less common during winter. A long coiled intestine A long coiled round, but appear to be less common during winter. year found types Diet comprises various of algae and herbivorous. are mainly suggests that they are suitable aquarium inhabitantsbut are generally not kept, They small invertebrates. to their limited distribution and conservation status. owing Distribution. Group. A small in a population exists bore drain between and Longreach It is listed Muttaburra. the by as ‘vulnerable’ Society for Australian main The Fish Biology. threats to this species include the presence of gambusia, and cattle and shee Chlamydogobius Family Gobiidae – gobies – Gobiidae Family unlikely. Habitat. or vegetation artesian springs among emergent from shallow usually been collected adult gobies shelter among emergent from artesian bore drains. During the day, and are can be observed some distanceAt night, they from cover vegetation. areas than the adults are. in shallower are usually found Juveniles apparently foraging. Biology. beneath a as a cave site, such male selects a spawning The 20ºC. above temperatures to the his display, by attracted male guides the females, The he defends. which rock, male guards about The usually occurs at night and lasts about an hour. site. Spawning Elongate water-hardened to the ceiling of the cave. are attached eggs, which 40-100 Hatching mm in diameter. 2.5 and 3.0 mm long and about 0.8–1.0 eggs are between larvae are hatched Newly days. several over extend and may days 10 begins after to attract the male will attempt are hatched, between Once the young 5 and 6 mm. males in Mature not been identified in the wild. have sites Spawning another female. of the common crayfish in or near the burrows found are often colouration spawning ( Description. become quite desert gobies). Males in breeding condition colour description of on the belly, to golden-yellow on the back body colour grades from olive The colourful. fins are varyingThe and sides. on the back of dark blotches pattern with a chequered top of the The white margin. a greyish and have of blue to black shades and patterns are not easily distinguished from other They flash. yellow first dorsal fin has a lake eyre 60 ‘restricted’ by the Australian for Society FishBiology. notabundant.Owing toitslimitedrange,itislistedas common thoughtypically Distribution/Habitat. the widespreadpresenceofnationalparksmake collectiondifficult. have goodpotentialasaquariumsubjects,althoughtheirhabitat’s remotenessand other desertgobies.Nospecificstudies ofthisspecieshave beenundertaken. They Description/Biology. Family Gobiidae – gobies Chlamydogobius japalpa Chlamydogobius Finke goby Itsdescriptionandbreedingbiologyareprobablysimilarto GenerallyrestrictedtotheupperFinke River. Itmay be (Larson,1995) lake eyre 61 (Akihito & Meguro, 1975) & Meguro, (Akihito In the Lake Eyre Region, it is found only in the Georgina River, where it River, only in the Georgina it is found Eyre Region, In the Lake Length 200 mm. They are a brown colour, being darker on their upper being darker colour, are a brown They 200 Length mm. No work has been undertaken on Lake Eyre Region populations and little is populations and little Eyre Region has been undertaken on Lake No work Golden goby Golden Glossogobius aureus Family Gobiidae – gobies – Gobiidae Family Description. bodies and lighter on their bellies. About five dark blotches are present along their are present dark blotches About five their bellies. bodies and lighter on their identification easy. and fused pelvic fins make sides. Large mouths Biology. a marine have in general. Coastal populations may Australia of their biology in known to Owing Australia. central in be difficult reasons, this would obvious larval stage. For with larger need to be kept They in aquaria. kept this species is rarely its drab colour, size. their large fish for will readily eat surprisingly species because they Distribution. is widespread throughout northern golden goby The appears to be common. region. and the Indo-Pacific Australia lake eyre 62 Family Poeciliidae– livebearers moving them. catchment. Their rangeisexpanding boredrainsand peoplephysically duetoflooding, other populationsexist aroundLake EyreandinisolatedpartsoftheBulloo-Bancannia River andCooperCreek. They arespreadingthroughouttheDiamantinaRiver. A few Distribution. any mosquitoproblems. positive values totheLake EyreRegion andthereareample native fishestocontrol EdgbastonSpringsandClayton Bore.springs, e.g. Gambusiadonotcontributeany caused adecreaseinfishpopulationsinhabitingnon-riverine such habitats asboresand probably becausethey tend nottobeabundant.However, they arereportedtohave In waterholes, they appeartohave causedfew problemstonative fishpopulations, and springswithwarm outflows, they breedyear round. In theLake EyreRegion, gambusiabreedinallmonths,except winter. Inboredrains to 375fry. The young areabout4–5 mmlongandreach maturity inaslittle as6weeks. female before beingreleased,completelydeveloped. A largefemale may produceup sperm tothefemale’s opening. genital The young develop for 21–28 days insidethe occurs insidethefemale. The male’s modifiedanalfinisusedto transfer bundlesof predators. Gambusiaisunusualamongfishesinitsreproductive biology. Fertilisation part toavoid predators,butalsofor feeding. Gambusiaprimarilyrelyonsighttoavoid Gambusia tendtooccuraroundthemarginsofwaterholes inshallow areasprobablyin due totheephermeralnature andthelargefloodsthey ofthesehabitats experience. populations inmuddywaterholes, possiblyduetotheirrelianceonsightfindfood, or populations andcanexclude native species.Gambusiadon’t usuallyform large clear water they withabundantaquaticvegetation. canform Inthesehabitats, large tolerate water temperatures from6–37ºC. They prefer shallow, slowly flowing orstill Biology. elongate, pointedtubes. The analfinsoffemales arerounded. fins ofmaleshave thethird,fourth andfifth rays thickened andextended toform mouths; single,roundeddorsalfinswithoutspines;andrelatively largescales. The anal spot above thevent (usuallyonlyfemales). Gambusiahave protrusible, upturned continue ontothefins,which clear. areotherwise They may have alarge,bluishblack bellies. the sidesandsilvery Their bodiesmay have fineblack spotsandthesemay commonly attain 35mm. They areolive, orgrey tan above, with abluishsheenalong Description. Gambusia holbrooki Gambusia Gambusia, mosquitofish Gambusiahave andoxygen broadtoleranceofsalinity content,andcan Gambusiagrow to60mm,althoughonlyfemales reach thissize. Males Gambusiaareapest. They arewidespreadandcommon intheNeales (Girard,1859) lake eyre 63 Gambusia are native to eastern drainages of the United States of America. They were They America. of the United States eastern drainages to of are native Gambusia and to Brisbane in and 1927 1925 area between to the Sydney deliberately introduced II, War World during Australia throughout introductions occurred Large-scale 1929. when the armed services try released them to and control the wrigglers of disease- carrying to introduce gambusia until the mosquitoes. Some local authorities continued areas. into new people continue to put them and misinformed late 1970s GAMBUSIA. MOVE DO NOT lake eyre 64 reported subsequently, andnonewere found duringarecentsurvey. Rockhole in1977, andinponds Alice Springsduring1982. Nonehave been Todd River Catchment. Itwas reportedfrom Trephina Creekin1973, John Hayes In theLake EyreRegion theone-spot livebearer hasonlybeenrecordedfromthe Family Poeciliidae – livebearers Family Poeciliidae – livebearers been reported since, and a recent survey failedbeen reportedsince,andarecentsurvey tofindany. Swordtails were reportedasbeingpresentinthe Todd River in1982. Nonehave Phalloceros caudimaculatus Phalloceros One-spot livebearer Swordtail Xiphophorus helleri helleri Xiphophorus (Heckel, 1848) (Hensel,1868) lake eyre 65 (Linnaeus, 1758) (Linnaeus, Goldfish are becoming widespread in the Cooper Creek Catchment. They the Cooper Creek Catchment. Goldfish are becoming widespread in Goldfish is known to grow to 400 to grow Creek In the Cooper long and 2 kg. mm known Goldfish is Goldfish are normally found in waterholes and are able to persist in shallow and are able to in waterholes found Goldfish are normally between 17-23C. temperatures in spring and summer at water Goldfish spawn Goldfish Carassius auratus Family Cyprinidae - minnows Cyprinidae Family Description. in Cooper Creek is of goldfish wild colouration The mm. 180 rarely reach they Catchment, fins are the same The on the sides and belly. becoming lighter on the back, silvery bronze Goldfish be found. Specimens with aquarium-variety colouration may colour as the body. a anal fin has The at the front. based dorsal fin with a strong spine a single broad have to be confused with tail lobes. Goldfish are unlikely has rounded forked The similar spine. fin filament a dorsal do not have They bream. perhaps bony Eyre fishes, except other Lake be distinguished from carp Goldfish can the belly. along keel a serrated or scales that form of barbels around the mouth. a lack by Habitat. range. and a wide temperature levels are able to withstand oxygen low They drying water. withstand but can 0-42C, if acclimatised. 16-32C, between temperatures prefer They Biology. 000 and 380 000 160 produce between are not all shed at once. eggs, but these Females to, and stick over, are scattered They mm in diameter. and 1.5 eggs are between 1.0 The on temperature. depending days, 3-10 occurs after Hatching the substrate or vegetation. mm 44 and 178 between reach and fish may variable is fry on plankton. Growth The feed thought to a fish about 370 mm was Australia, In South the tail) in the first year. (excluding of 50 and 200 at between mm and at 1 to 4 years mature old. Goldfish may be ten years algae, matter, of vegetative on a variety feed and age. Goldfish are omnivores cod eat and Murray golden perch System, In the Murray–Darling and detritus. invertebrates are popular aquarium fish, They with carp. hybridise to goldfish. Goldfish are known them, catch Anglers occasionally because of their variety of colours and their hardiness. are considered neither good sport nor good eating.is illegal to use goldfish as It but they bait. Distribution. are now They years. many for River Barcoo of the been present in the upper reaches have been and its tributaries, could have where they River Thomson also widespread in the also been recently recorded from Coongie Lakes, have They independently introduced. apparently were where they first introduced in the that the It is believed 1970s. bait use of goldfish as live and escapes from outdoor aided their fish ponds have are common They dispersal. throughout south-eastern Australia. lake eyre 66 common throughoutmuch ofsouth-eastern Australia. Development Institute treatedthedam,andallcarpwere removed. They are Creek. The Inland Waters section oftheSouth Australian Research and toFromehave damatLeigh beenfound inatailings Creekcoalmine,atributary Distribution. the consumptionmarket andaspeculative liquidfish-fertiliser industry. System suppliesmostlypetmeatandcrayfish bait. issoldforA smallquantity light tackle intheMurray–Darling andareeasytohook. A commercialfishery widely cultivated food fishintheworld. They areregardedasgoodsporton are nothighlyregardedasfood fishin Australia. However, they arethemost expelling thesediment,butmay alsofeed inmid-water oratthesurface. Carp They feed typically by sucking mud,filteringoutdigestiblematerialand Carp areomnivorous andfeed ofplantandanimalmaterials. onawidevariety Growthlong. isvariable; aone-year-old fishmay mmlong. be300 at 30ºC,orlongercoolertemperatures. Newly hatched fishareabout4–6 mm and areattached tothesubstrateorvegetation. The eggscanhatch intwo days which arereleasedover several weeks. The eggsare1.0–1.5 mmindiameter female’s bodyweight may beeggsamountingtomorethan3millioneggs, autumn whenwater temperatures arebetween 17–25ºC. Upto40%ofthe Biology. whereotherspeciescannot. poorwater quality and cansurvive temperatures from0–41ºC butprefer 15–32ºC. Carparetolerantofpollutants toabouthalfthestrengthofseawater,tolerate salinity andcantoleratewater bottom. They muddylow areabletotoleratevery oxygenated water. They can Habitat. ends oftheupperlip. The presenceofbarbelsdistinguishescarpfromgoldfish. longonesatthecornersofmouthandtwo shortonesatthe barbels: two is concave atthefront. The analfinalsohasaserrated spine.Carphave four based dorsalfinwithastrongserrated spineatthefront. The dorsalfinprofile carpexhibitOrnamental awiderangeofcolours.Carphave asingle,broad– on theirbellies. The finsareopaqueandslightlydarker thanthebodycolour. olive, yellow-green orgoldenontheirbacks yellow andsides,becomingsilvery they commonlygrow toover 4kg. They display variable colourationandmay be Description Family Cyprinidae -minnows Cyprinus carpio Cyprinus Carp Carpmay spawn throughouttheyear, withpeaksduringspringand Carpprefer stillorslow-flowing preferably habitats, withamuddy . Carpgrow to1200 IntheMurray–Darling mmand60kg. System, Carp donotappear tohave invaded theLake EyreRegion. They (Linnaeus, 1758) lake eyre 67

Fishing regulations time, and it is best to seek up-to- from time to Fishing regulations change authority e.g. Queensland Fisheries from the relevant date information in (there is an office Service and Fisheries Patrol or the Queensland Boating at the Department of Primary Primary Industries complex), Longreach Department of Territory Northern Australia, South Industries and Resources, Fishing fishing in some of the best freshwater provides Region Eyre Lake The refer may bream, which called black (often grunters perch, Golden Australia. The to two almost anywhere. and catfishes can be caught or three species) angling minor impacts; there are no introduced only suffered habitats have species with self-maintaining few there are relatively populations; and fishing Most people do not think to pack the amount of water. anglers for than others some areas fish better gear when visiting the desert. Of course, anglers, quite a few sees at Longreach River Thomson the example, do. For only 20 the Darr River Yet fish can be a bit hard to find. and legal-sized keeper. a legal-sized kilometers up the road usually produces to seek permission Remember out of the way. a little to find a waterhole Try deeper areas in the for Look if necessary. property, to access private outcrop. log or rocky as a fallen such a bit of cover with preferably waterhole, times, although fish will bite and dusk are the best in most places, dawn As time. at any through the tail will shrimps hooked and live method is the preferred Bait A dip net scooped through of grunters. and all varieties golden perch catch bait. Small bait traps to catch way area is a quick in a shallow leaf litter Goldfish and redclaw well. also work baited with dry or cat food food dog as bait. If you be used region and should never to the are exotic crayfish prefer trouble. If you will not get into any fish, you bait where you your catch although this is no the bottom, so that the bait is off fish with a float perch, help fish to a catfish. Jiggling the float may will not catch guarantee that you If you to the muddy water. owing bait. Lure fishing can be difficult, find your although black insist on fishing with lures, try something bright and noisy, Otherwise, the rare occasion when a well. for also seems to work wait reported the most At these times, local anglers have clears. waterhole Some enthusiasts experienced. ever have they lure sportfishing that exciting used flies! even have The Lake Eyre Region is largely free from many of the serious problems that problems serious of the many from largely free is Eyre Region Lake The from results probably This are typical elsewhere. ecosystems of aquatic rather than density population isolation, low extensive and Australia’s central the integrity Despite this, practices. of central agricultural intensive threats. potential has many ecosystems unique aquatic Australia’s need to recognised the have communityIndividuals, and government groups remains that the land issues to ensure to and manage these respond and landscapes. while retaining flora, fauna the unique productive

wetlands and catchments and wetlands management of fishes, of management lake eyre 68 Illegal fishing fishing. fishes,andareasclosedto collecting regulations,bagandsize limitsoncertain Each departmentproducesabrochure ofgeartouse,bait- advisingonthetypes andFisheries andNew South Industry Primary Wales FisheriesDepartment. Unmack (Arizona University) andRob State Wager (Raintree Ltd). Aquatics Pty Department), Peter Industries, Queensland),Peter Long (Department ofPrimary Biology Unit), Evolutionary Terry Sim(South Australian Museum,Ichthyology and Development Institute), Mark Adams (South Australian Museum, Jim Puckridge of (University Adelaide), Pierce(South Bryan Australian Research (Curator ofIchthyology attheMuseum and Art GalleriesofNorthern Territory), Australian ichthyology. These HelenLarson includeHamarMidgley (consultant), Several otherworkers have made,orcontinuetomake contributionstocentral recognised today is 33native andtwo exotic species. from 10 families andfour exotic fishesfromthreefamilies. The number (1982) checklist ofcentral Australian fishes,Glover recorded26native species records anddiscoveries, includingthefishesfromDalhousieSprings.Inhislast conducted many expeditions throughout central Australia andmadeseveral new Museum, studied central Australian fishesfrom1967 untilhisdeathin1992. He began whenJohn Glover, CuratorofIchthyology attheSouth Australian fishes fromtwo families investigations were recorded.Detailed reallyonly fishes recordedto26speciesfromninefamilies. Duringthistime,threeexotic Between 1894 and1971, number ofnative occasional collectingraisedthetotal seven families. number ofspeciesknown incentral Australia fromthreetoten,representing described andnew localitieswere recordedfor others. This expedition raisedthe offloodingforand theimportance dispersal.Several new specieswere includedthelackIts observations ofevidence for aestivation by desertfishes The HornExpeditionin1896 was thefirsttodocument central Australian fishes. Research onfish on 1800 043536seven days aweek. Enforcement Uniton1800 891136 andNew South Wales FisheriesDepartment South Australia on1800 065 522, Northern Territory Police MarineandFisheries Fisheries Patrol onfreecall1800 017 116, IndustriesandResources, Primary Illegal fishingactivitiesshouldbereportedtotheQueenslandBoating and year classesoffishesthataresusceptibletocapture ingillnets. present duringdrought,removal oflargequantitiesfishcanseverely reduce fishing tocontinuelargelyundetected.Owing tothesmallnumberofwaterholes markets. Unfortunately,interstate theLake EyreRegion’s isolationallows illegal quantities offish. These fishmay besoldlocallyortransportedto,andat, nets ordynamite.Somepeopleuseillegalmethodstotake commercial Management Authority isillegal.Illegalmethodsincludegillormeshnets,bait Capturing fishusingmethodsotherthanprescribedby theQueenslandFisheries lake eyre 69 Noxious and translocated species Noxious and translocated from the been recorded fishes have and translocated A total exotic of eight occur in do not naturally species are those that Exotic Eyre Region. Lake but do Australia, to are native species are those that Translocated Australia. Eyre Region. occur in the Lake not naturally and silver golden perch cod, Murray–Darling fishes— Murray native Three either local by recently translocated to the region been — have perch — species goldfish, carp, exotic Five agencies. landholders or government been previously — have and one-spot livebearer gambusia, swordtail species, gambusia and goldfish, are still present. exotic recorded. Only two regimes, river Natural benign introduction. been a relatively Goldfish have meant of permanent habitats have and lack flow irregular by characterised not become a serious pest. survived, but have that goldfish have of bore drains and in the artificial environments proliferated Gambusia have appear to be causing local springs where they also spread to natural have of the in each of endemic fishes. Gambusia are declared noxious extinctions them hence it is illegal to place or release Eyre Region, statesthe Lake in possession alive. them in your or to have into waterways, yet, a harmful effect to have not been shown fishes have native Translocated with closely related disaster through hybridisation but the potential for grunter Welch’s are closely related to perch species is considerable. Silver Eyre golden are closely related to Lake golden perch and Murray–Darling translocated species could result the local and between Hybridisation perch. could lead to a This Eyre rivers. of Lake in a fish unsuited to the conditions genetic loss. fish populations and an irreplaceable decrease in native harm in the other species are capable of causing serious environmental Two Carp are widely recognised as a nuisance species in Eyre Region. Lake Australian in all been declared noxious and have Australia south-eastern in a tailings found were They Wales. South New except states and territories A successfully eradicated. were they Creek, from which dam near Leigh to attributed recent find of carp frames on the banks of Cooper Creek was become not yet that carp have bait. It is only due to luck left-over established. AND IS ILLEGAL IT — BAIT AS THEM ANYWHERE OR USE CARP MOVE NOT DO IRRESPONSIBLE. Lucy Crowley and Walter Ivantsoff (Macquarie University) have published University) (Macquarie have Ivantsoff Walter and Crowley Lucy has as of hardyheads, species taxonomic new describing papers several on gobies. and Helen Larson and mogurndas Allen on catfishes Gerald methods not usually gill nets and other uses fishing often Research creek or on the a sign on their vehicle display should Researchers permitted. out under a permit. bank stating carried are being that their activities are doing. what they to explain be happy will always Researchers lake eyre 70 management, theintroduction of feral animals andclearing ofinappropriate land was inthelate1800s. established Overstocking,industry poor fireanddrought obvious processes intheLake EyreRegion, bothhave increased sinceapastoral surrounding catchment. arenaturalAlthough erosionand sedimentation and The healthofwaterholes andother wetlands isrelatedtolandusein the Land management fisheries intheLake EyreRegion. completed todetermineappropriatemanagementprocedures for commercial populations intheseoutliers?Unfortunately, nobiologicalstudies have been the outlyingsites? thecolonising What aretheimplicationsofharvesting populations relyontherarerecruitment opportunities provided by inundationof populations inanexceptionally variable system. To whatextent dofish A key waterholes fish insustaining consideration istheroleoftemporary isolated fromthesystem out. andwould dry inevitably allowed lake/waterhole, this onthebasisthatitwas which atemporary was Cooper Creekfor Lake Eyregoldenperch. The South Australian Government Recently, atLake was established Hopeonthelower acommercialfishery Region). freshwater areas(withsomeexceptions that arenotapplicabletotheLake Eyre The QueenslandGovernment generally hasnotallowed commercialfishingin Commercial fishing plants ortreebranches areideal. cormorants andpelicansisalsobeneficial,especiallyifthewater isclear. Water rivers. Be carefultoavoid gambusia.Providing someshelteror cover from fish orshrimps. These canbecaptured, usingbaittraps,fromlocalcreeksor hatcheries.suitable When stocking fish, itmay bedesirabletoalsostock feeder Lake Eyrefish. The Industriescanprovide DepartmentofPrimary alistof Fingerlings for stocking intodamsshouldbesourced fromahatchery thathas catch afish,even atheavily fishedsites. native fish. Taking onlyenoughfor immediateneedsensuresthateveryone can waterways isunnecessary, given thereproductive anddispersalabilitiesof may fish.Large-scalestocking whichtanks, notcontain ofpublic otherwise In theLake EyreRegion, fishstocking onlyinfarm damsorring isnecessary Fish stocking be caughtfor free? redclaw whenthelocalcrayfish isperfectly suitedtodamenvironments andcan Redclaw may devastate stocks oflocalcrayfish. Besides, why pay money for rainfall, they willwalk away fromthedamandintosurrounding waterways. redclaw crayfish intheQueenslandsectionofLake EyreDrainage. After They shouldnotbestocked onfarm dams.Itisillegaltostock farm damswith used onlyasanaquaculture speciesonfarms fromwhich they cannotescape. damage. Redclaw donotoccurnaturally intheLake EyreRegion. They shouldbe If translocated,redclaw crayfish couldcauseconsiderableenvironmental lake eyre 71 Rare and threatened species and communities good condition in terms of fish overall Eyre Region’s Despite the Lake Society for Australian The badly. suffered communities, some spots have of that monitors the status Fishes Committee Threatened Fish Biology has a Water resource development Water on Almost every town Eyre Region. Lake are common throughout the Weirs the have Weirs is pumped. water domestic from which has a weir a river other and have flows, alter downstream potential to stop fish migrations and east coast rivers. documented for are well These deleterious impacts. are small, and the habitat most weirs Eyre Region, in the Lake However, habitats. also are Small weirs created upstream is similar to waterhole them. fishes to bypass floods, allowing inundated during quickly has been ecosystems riverine Eyre’s Lake the greatest shield for Probably, as large impoundments or such developments the absence of major water of cropping is primarily related to the lack This schemes. water-harvesting to dam several proposals been many have There industries. and irrigation is where water System, into the Murray–Darling the water and divert rivers flood control on proposed for also been Dams have irrigation. used mainly for been have farms Alice Springs. Cotton of the township above River Todd the not proceeded. date all proposals have To the Cooper Creek. proposed for flows, migrations, alter downstream Large impoundments can stop fish species introduced strongholds for and provide fish communities change as carp. such then Eyre Region, are to be undertaken in the Lake developments If water into their sustainability and operational considerable investigation biological requirements of aquatic The specifications will be required. will arrangements management Water will need to be identified. ecosystems to be established States needs between have to ensure that downstream in the catchment use of water Any needs. are met, especially environmental of the waterholes Eyre or many Lake will reach will mean that less water rely on. that fish and other wildlife types have caused an overall reduction of vegetation leading to soil losses. to soil leading of vegetation reduction an overall caused types have zones riparian plains and along flood aggravated are often factors These in these near water congregate domestic stock animals and feral because animal wastes or excess dead stock through of waterholes areas. Fouling been this have relating to While no direct impacts been reported. has also siltation caused some in have to is likely it Australia, in central reported to nutrient dynamics. and changes of riverbanks erosion waterholes, and are recognised these problems and managers have Landowners rates, Landcare. Sustainable like stocking schemes addressing them through water and supply of off-stream through fencing increased herd management areas, and control of woody pan of scalded and clay points, reclamation can persist. ecosystems wetland animals will ensure that feral and weeds lake eyre 72 Artesian Springs the fishinartesianspringsthatarethreatened,butwholespringecosystems. Society. These aremostlyfound inartesiansprings.Unfortunately, it isnotjust extinction. Several fish thatoccurintheLake EyreRegion arelistedby the Australian fish.Fisharelistedaccordingtotheperceived likelihood of at Edgbaston hasbeenunsuccessfulin eliminating thespecies.Chemical threaten red-finned blue-eye and Edgbastongoby. Physical removal of gambusia flood dispersal. They areamajorproblematEdgbastonSprings,where they Gambusia aregraduallyexpanding theirrange,primarilythrough boredrainsand of theLake EyreSupergroup,andafew scattered Queenslandsprings. Gambusia occurinafew springsintheNeales River andFrome Creekportions common plantandanimal species. results. Itisknown thatexcavated springstendtohave onlywidespread and excavation orwhetheritisunabletoadaptthenew, that deeperhabitat towater.accessibility Itisunknown whetherthefauna iskilledduring Many smallerspringsinQueenslandhave beenexcavated toimprove stock animal biomassmay occur. this may leadtoadevastating lossoffauna; inlargersprings,areductionthe die, orthey justhappentobeinaspringwhenthey smallsprings, die. Invery nutrients andammonia.Occasionally, livestock becometrappedinsoft mudand itself. Faeces tendtopollutespringsby causinghighconcentrationsof considerable tramplingofthesurrounding areaanddisturbance tothespring water andfodder, livestock tendtocongregatearoundsprings. This resultsin GorgeNationalPark.protected withinCarnarvon Owing tothepresenceof outlets were fenced atEdgbastonSpringsin1997; andafew springsare were fenced 1986–1988; between ElizabethSpringswas re-fenced in1994; two Grazing ceasedatDalhousieSpringsin1985. A few oftheLake EyreSprings Cattle, sheeporferal animalshave impactedonvirtually every artesianspring. operations areproposed.Presumably, thesewilluseartesianwater. no new developments occur. However, several new miningandsmelting and discharge; thatis,nofurtherdecreaseinspringflow isexpected providing Today, the Great Artesian Basin appearstobeinequilibriumbetween recharge comparisons withthedescriptionsofearlyexplorers. of theLake EyreSupergroupspringsarealsoreducedinflow, basedon than 95%ofitsoriginalrate)remainsactive intheSpringvale Supergroup.Many the Eulosupergroupareextinct; andonlyElizabethSprings(which flows atless springs intheBogan andBourke supergroupsareextinct ornearlyso;many in most springswithintheGreat Artesian Basin tosomedegree. Virtually all aquifer, which resultedinadeclinespringdischarge. This probablyaffected were sunk. This causedaninitialperiodofdraw down orlossofpressureinthe Artesian Basin wasinthelate1870s firsttapped whenthefirstboresorwells water onwhich they relyonisthegreatestthreat. The water intheGreat A numberofthreatsimpactartesiansprings. The continuingexistence ofthe lake eyre 73 ). This may result in a change to the in a change result may This ). Phragmites australis CONCLUSIONS assemblage of contains a fascinating Eyre Region Lake The These of habitats. in a variety aquatic animals that live animals and their aquatic habitats are special in many our angling pleasure, as whether it be for ways, different They right. own or just in their aquarium fishes, curiosity, that scientists with clues about historical changes provide and thousands or millions of years, over occurred have can Or they in the future. change may they possibly how or dietry medicinal for substances perhaps aid in the search on pizza!). substitutes great anchovy make (desert goby may suggested these desert creatures even Some have harsh clues that will assist us in colonising new provide and writing studying enjoy We as Mars! such environments us with years provided have and they about these creatures the Lake left are grateful our forefathers We of fascination. to us in a mostly reasonable state (especially Eyre Region only hope our We system). compared to the Murray–Darling the condition for or better it in similar, generation leaves next. eradication remains as an option. Fortunately, owing to its owing Fortunately, an option. as remains eradication fishes. of exotic free remains Springs Dalhousie isolation, easily this could numbers, tourist increased with However, ideal make (32–38ºC) pools would warm large The change. fish species. tropical exotic many for environments to springs fencing as to whether is some debate There The them. threatening or protecting animal grazing is prevent springs that have Eyre Supergroup small number of Lake with common reeds become overgrown have been fenced ( plant and animal communities, although it is difficult to although it is difficult plant and animal communities, from of increasing plant growth distinguish the effects then are not fenced, If the springs supply. decreasing water trampling and pollution. stock by being destroyed risk they grazing occurred much as to how is also disagreement There the springs Have European settlement. on the springs before Are grazing? cattle had time to come into equilibrium with maintainsprings dependent upon grazing to habitats? aquatic Aborigines managed the springs. It is the how Is it not known used fire to maintain access to have may thought that they are challenging These game. the springs or to catch hopefully ongoing research management questions, which be able to answer. may lake eyre 74 acknowledgments kindly contributedpublishingandeditorialassistance. (significant) editorialneeds. The DPI, publicationssectionofClientInformation Services, who pruned andmassagedouroriginaltext andtoNielBruce whoattended toour comments astheprojectprogressed. We are also gratefultoananonymous wordsmith management andtomembersoftheLake EyreZAC whoprovided usefulfeedback and Queensland FisheriesManagement Authority whoablyassistedwiththeproject Thanks toSimoneRetif, Bernadette Kerby andPhilCadwallader (formerly) ofthe book. half anhourorso...’. it,hewouldWithout notbewhereheisnow, noranauthorofthis travel theOutback andfor theirgeneroussupport andpatience-’this shouldonlytake Peter Unmack would like andJean tothankhisparents,Stan for boththeopportunity to absences totheOutback. parents Warren andLibby whomanagedhisfarm and businessduringhisextended Rob Wager would particularlylike tothankhiswife Kathy, hisbrotherJohn andhis thatweaccommodation, andthehugedistances travelled. you allfor toleratingthelonghours,often-uncomfortable conditionsandmake-do Many tripsover peopleaccompaniedusonoursurveying thepastdecadeorso. Thank us inourcollectionsandinvestigations. This bookwas written primarily for you. the Lake EyreRegion whoallowed accesstotheirpropertiesandhomes,assisted The authorswould like tothankthehundredsofresidents,landowners andmanagersof Trust.Heritage andtheLakeAuthority EyreZonal CommitteeAdvisory throughgrantsfromtheNational Production ofthisbookwas supportedby theQueenslandFisheriesManagement lake eyre 75

Books Pp Jersey. New Publications, T.F.H. Australia. Fishes of Freshwater G. R., 1989. Allen, 240. Germany. Melle, Tetra. Aquarium. the and In Nature Rainbowfishes 1995. Allen, G. R., Pp 180. Australia Nelson Thomas Australia. of and Rivers Fishes Freshwater 1971. S., J. Lake, 61. Ltd, Melbourne. Pp Illustrated Field Guide. Nelson, An Australia. fishes of Freshwater 1978. S,. J. Lake, Melbourne. Pp 160. Territory. fishes of the Northern Freshwater K.C. 1990. Larson, H.K. & Martin, Merrick, R & Leggett, Arts and Sciences, Darwin. Museum of 102pp. Territory Northern Sydney. Publications. R. Merrick J. Aquariums. for Fishes Native Australian R., 1987. J. Pp 245. Fishes: Biology and Freshwater Australian G. E., 1984. R. & Schmida, J. Merrick, Ltd. Pp 409. Press Management. Griffith Brisbane. Press, Jacaranda Australia. Fishes of Freshwater Native 1960. P., G. Whitley, Pp 127.

reading further lake eyre 76 Crowley, L.E.M.&Ivantsoff, W. 1990. A secondhardyhead,Craterocephalusgloveri (Pisces: Crowley, L.E.M.&Ivantsoff, W. 1990. A review ofspeciespreviously identifiedas Brown, P. 1992. Occurrenceofaneosiluridcatfish( Bishop, K.&Larson,H.1994. Fishsurvey oftheeasterndrainagecatchments ofthe Bishop, K.&Moses,R.1983. Fishsurvey oftheBonnie andKurundi Creekcatchments ofthe Western Glover, C.J. M.1990. Fishes.Pp189–198, in, Glover, C.J. M.1982. Adaptations offishesinarid Australia. Pp241–246, in Glover, C.J. M.1979. Studies oncentral Australian andrecords,part1. fishes: furtherobservations fish.Bulletinofthe Australian Society Glover, C.J. M.1973. Adaptations ofacentral Australian gobiid Crowley, L.E.M.,Ivantsoff, W., & Allen, G.R.,1991. Freshwater fishesofthegenus Allen, G.R.&Jenkins, A. P. 1999. A review ofthe Australian freshwater gudgeons,genusMogurnda Crowley, L.E.M.&Ivantsoff, W. 1989. An historicaloverview ofthegenus Allen, G.R.&Burgess, W. E.,1990. A review oftheglassfishes(Chandidae) of Australia andNew Scientic papersandotherarticles Dulhunty, J. A. &Merrick, J. R.1976. The waters andfishoftheLakeI. EyreBasin.Part Fletcher, H.O. 1937. Collectingincentral andnorthern Australia. Allen, G.R.&Feinberg, M.N.1998. Descriptionsofanew genusandfour new speciesoffreshwater Crowley, L.E.M.1990. Biogeography oftheendemicfreshwater fish Castro, A. D. 1997. Desertgoby. A nicelittle fishfrom Australia that’s easytokeep hardy. andvery Behler, D. A., 1989. The desertgoby. Glover, C.J. M.1989. Fishes.Pp89–112, in, Glover, C.J. M.1984. Additions tothefishfauna ofSouth Australia. Transactions oftheRoyal Societyof J., Twidale,Davies, C.R., M.,& Wells, C.B. Royal ofSouth Society Australia, Adelaide. basin. Atherinidae), fromDalhousieSprings,central Australia. Territory. Pp12. Scientistfor the Supervising Alligator Rivers Region Research Institute, Jabiru, Northern Davenport andMurchison Ranges,Northern Territory, central Australia. SecondReport for the Alligator Rivers Region Research Institute, Jabiru, Northern Territory. Pp6. Davernport andMurchison Ranges,Northern Territory, central Scientist Australia. Supervising Ponder, W. F. South Australian Museum, Adelaide. South Australian Naturalist 53:35–44. for Limnology5:8–10. 6(5): 157–164. C. s.stercusmuscarum from Australia. (Atherinidae) fromthesoutherndrainagesofPapua New GuineaandIrianJaya withreference to 112: 87–103. Magazine Fish Aquarium (Eleotridae) withdescriptionsofthreenew species. Atherinidae). Guinea. special reference tothehardyheadsfromDalhousieSprings.Pp113–118, in, catfishes (Plotosidae)from Australia. Aqua, South Australia 109: 59–60. Biology Freshwaters Dalhousie Springs Dalhousie eyresii Society of NSW Newsletter NSW of Society Fauna of Arid Australia Arid of Fauna the Lake Eyre Basin Eyre Lake the (Pisces: Atherinidae). Proceedings of the Linnaean Society of New South Wales Wales South New of Society Linnaean the of Proceedings 3(4):141–156. Records of the Western Australian Museum Australian Western the of Records 1:113–122. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum Queensland the of Memoirs . Eds.Zeidler, W. &Ponder, W. F. South Australian Museum, Adelaide. . Part II. The Royal ofNSWNewsletter Society No.14. . Eds.Barker, W. R.&Greenslade,P. J.M.. Peacock Publications, Adelaide. 9(4):16–17. No.13. Dulhunty, J. A. &Merrick, J. R.1976. Animal Kingdom Animal Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales South New of Society Linnean the of Proceedings Natural History of Dalhousie Springs. Dalhousie of History Natural Natural History of the North-East Deserts North-East the of History Natural Records of the Western Australian Museum Australian Western the of Records Neosilurus sp. Neosilurus Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology Aquatic and Ichthyology of Journal 92(6):66–67. 28:89–98. , Supplement34:139–206. Aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic and Ichthyology of Journal Aqua, Ichthyological Exploration of Exploration Ichthyological Australian Museum Magazine Museum Australian ) intheParoo River, Murray–Darling Craterocephalus 113(4): 341–343. Evolution of the Flora and Flora the of Evolution Craterocephalus The waters and fish of fish and waters The Eds.Zeidler, W. & Natural History of History Natural Craterocephalus Craterocephalus . Eds. Tyler, M. The Royal The (family 15: 33–52. 3:9–18. with lake eyre 77 19: 245–256. 19: 52: 35–44. Naturalist Australian Adelaide. Rigby, P., W. Guinea Fishes New Australian the of (Journal 611–613. of Sahul 13(2): Fishes 1896). Australia). Association, 88–98. Zoologist 18: Australian Australia. South teleost (Atherinidae) from freshwater Queensland. Western Pseudomugilidae from central family species and genus of the Association, Guinea Fishes New Australian of the Fishes of Sahul 6: 277–282. (Journal Australia). Sustainable D.A. in, Hancock, Pp 213–227, Fish Biology. Society for Australian Listing - Workshop, Society Fish Biology Sustaining for Through Fish Habitat.Australian Fisheries Sciences Bureau of Resource 1992. August 12–13 Australia, South Harbour, Victor Service, Publishing Canberra. Government Australian Proceedings, 1847–1855. springs. Ecology 74: Art Galleries of of the Museums and Records Beagle, The species. new description of five 19–51. 12: Territory the Northern Australia). Association, Guinea Fishes New Australian 6: 6–7. Limnology Newsletter for of Journal Australian Australia. in Madigania unicolor (Gunther), from inland waters 24: 73–94. Research and Marine Freshwater Sydney. R. M. Reed, Ed. McDowell, Australia. eastern 36: 447–51. Research of Marine & Freshwater Journal Australian Australia. in (Poeciliidae), 9: 361–362. Wales Linnean Society South of New pls 31–37. 193-291, Museum 12: Australian the of Transactions (k) Pisces. 1916. and Cooper Creeks. September and October, Strzelecki 41: 472–475. Australia Society of South the Royal 20–21. 12(4): Newsletter. SocietyAustralian for Teleostei). (Theraponidae: welchi T. and fuliginosus Therapon 19–20. 13(3): Limnology Newsletter division. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 30: 505–508. Glover, C. J. M., & Sim, T. C. 1978. A survey of central Australian ichthyology. Australian Zoologist Australian ichthyology. Australian of central survey A C. 1978. T. & Sim, M., J. C. Glover, South report. fishes: a progress Australian on central Studies 1978. C. T. Sim, M., & J. C. Glover, D. Corbett, the Flinders Ranges.Ed. A Field Guide to in, Fishes. Pp 217–223, M. 1980. C. J. Glover, eremius (Zeitz Chlamydogobius and embryology breeding of the desert goby, The E. 1999. Howe, CraterocephalusC. J. M. 1974. I. & Glover, W. dimorphic sexually dalhousiensis n.sp., Ivantsoff, a new blue-eye, A redfinned L. M. 1991. L E. & Crowley, Saeed, B., P., Unmack, W., Ivantsoff, Fishes 1992 Threatened Australia’s Appendix 1: R., 1993. Wager and J.D. Koehn, P.D., Jackson, desert Australian in fish communities Highly structured H. 1993. J. A. & Brown, Kodric-Brown, endemic gobiid fish genusAustralian of the A review Larson, H. K. 1995. with Chlamydogobius, (Bulletin of the Bulletin 24: 5–6. ANGFA desert gobies. names for New Larson, H. K. 1996. Society Australian Madigania unicolor to temporary of Adaptations water. L. C. 1968. Llewellyn, Geographic Number 42: 104–119. Australian Scales of survival. 1996. B. R. & Skepsey, Lehane, tolerance of the and temperature Spawning, development, L. C. 1973. Llewellyn, spangled perch, Fishes of South- in, Freshwater Plotosidae. Pp 91-93, Family A. 1980. D. L. C. & Pollard, Llewellyn, status of the mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis Taxonomic 1985. F. J. Tomasov L. N. & Lloyd, of the Journal Australia. small fishes from central Two - Notes and exhibits A. H. 1894. Lucas, of Gobiidae.Records fishes of the family Australian Some 1919. D. J. A. R. & Ogilby, McCulloch, to Museum expedition Australian of the South Results E. R. 1917. Waite, A. R. & McCulloch, Limnology Society for Australian rediscovered. grunter Barcoo The 1975. J. R. & Barker, J. Merrick, grunters in the freshwater and development Reproduction H. 1981. S. R. & Midgley, J. Merrick, drainage the Bulloo-Bancannia Fishes of 1991. J. S. M. & Rowland, H., Midgley, S. Midgley, lake eyre 78 Thompson, G.1983. The desertgoby, Chlamydogobius eremius.Fishesof Sahul1:17–20. (Journal of Thompson, G.1982. Fishcollectingonapartround Australia 13: trip.Fishtales 6–10.(Journal ofthe Tappin, A. 1999. Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis: somefurther observations. ANGFA Bulletin42:11. Tappin, A. 1996. SpringsoftheGreat Artesian Basin–Elizabeth Springs. ANGFA Bulletin24:1,3. Tappin, A. 1995. Ontheeve ofextinction. Practical Aquariums and Watergardens 10: 18–19. Steptoe, W. 1988. ExpeditiontoMincountry. ModernFishingDecember1988. Spencer, B. 1896. Report onthe Work oftheHorn ScientificExpeditiontoCentral Australia, 4 Vols. Shipway, B. 1947. Rains offishes? Western Australian Naturalist 1:47–48. Souter, G.1974. Delusionsofaninlandsea.Hemisphere18(10): 26–30. Souter, G.1974. Quest for thedeserthardyhead.Parts IandII. The Sydney MorningHeraldJune 1st Ruello, N. V. 1976. onsomefishkillsinLake Observations Eyre. Australian Journal ofFreshwater and Rinne, J. N.,Ivantsoff, W., Crowley, J. 1996. L.E.M.,&Lobon-Cervia ofdesertfishes: Conservation Reynolds, L.F. 1983. Migrationpatterns offive fishspeciesintheMurray–Darling River system. Reid, J. R. W. &Puckridge, J. T. 1990. CoongieLakes. Pp119–131, oftheNorth- in,Natural History Ralph, D&Ralph,R.1988. Breeding Australia’s desertgoby. Tropical FishHobbyist 36(12): 38–40. Puckridge, J. T. & Walker, K.F. 1990. Reproductive development biologyandlarval ofagizzardshad, Puckridge, J. T., Walker, K.F., Langdon,J. S., Daley, C.,&Beakes, G. W. 1989. Mycotic dermatitisin Pierce, B. E.1993. “Up thecreek” South Australia’s channel anditsmajorwaterways. country Pierce, B. E.1992. Why chase fishinthedesert?South Australia’s inlandwater stock assessment Pearson, B. 1999. An experience withtheredfinblue-eye. ANGFA Bulletin42:1,3–4.(Bulletinofthe Orr, T. M.andMilward, N.E.1984. Reproduction anddevelopment ofNeosilurus ater(Perugia) and Musyl, M.K.&Keenan, C.P. 1992. Population geneticsandzoogeography of Australian freshwater Miller, P. J. 1987. Affinites, origin andadaptive features ofthe Australian desertgoby Chlamydogobius eremius Chlamydogobius 13,Journal oftheEastern Districts Aquarium Society, Melbourne, Australia). the Australian New GuineaFishes Association, Australia). 1983. (Alsoin,Fishtales 14(2): 8– Eastern Districts Aquarium Society, Melbourne, Australia). (Bulletin ofthe Australian New GuineaFishes Association, Australia). (Bulletin ofthe Australian New GuineaFishes Association, Australia). Melville, MullinandSlade,Melbourne. (p11) andJune 8th(p12). Marine Research 27:667–672. andPractice.Theory Eds.Szaro.R.c.&Johnston, D. W. Oxford University Press, New York. Spain, Australia, Pp377-400 andthe UnitedStates. in,Biodiversity inManagedLandscapes: Australian Journal ofFreshwater andMarineResearch 34:857–871. South Australia, Adelaide. East Deserts.Eds. Tyler, M.J., Twidale, C.R.,Davies, M.,& Wells, C.B. Royal Societyof Australian Journal of Freshwater andMarineResearch 41:695–712. erebi(Gunther)(Dorosomatinae: Nematalosa Teleostei). intheRiver Murray, South Australia. South Australia. Journal ofFishDiseases12: 205–221. a freshwater erebi(Gunther),intheRiver gizzardshad,thebony bream,Nematalosa Murray, Department) SAFISH Magazine17(4): 4–8.(previously publishedby theSouth Australian Fisheries Fisheries Department) program. SAFISH Magazine17(1): 4–9.(previously publishedbytheSouth Australian Australian New GuineaFishes Association, Australia). Australian Journal ofFreshwater andMarineResearch 35:187–195. Neosilurus hyrtlii Steindachner (Teleostei: Plotosidae)inatropicalQueenslandstream. of MarineandFreshwater Research 43:1585–1601. Lake EyreBasin. Australian Journal electrophoretic identificationofanew speciesfromthe golden perch, Macquariaambigua(Richardson, 1845) (Teleostei: Percichthyidae), and 687–705. (Zietz,1896) (Teleostei: Gobiidae).Journal 21: ofNatural History lake eyre 79 Bulletin 12: 8-9. (Bulletin of the Australian New Guinea Fishes Association, Australia). Association, Fishes Guinea New Australian the (Bulletin of 8-9. 12: Bulletin 71–95. Australia). Association, Guinea Fishes New Australian of the 464. (Journal Fishes Guinea New Australian of the (Journal Fishes of Sahul 14(1):645-657. biology. Australia). Association, of Fishes of Sahul 6: 282–284. (Journal vermeilipinnis). (Scaturiginichthys redfinned blue-eye, Association,Australia). Guinea Fishes New Australian the 175–340. HistoryAmerican Museum of Natural 159: the Bulletin of revision. Pp 62. Series QI93001. Information Canberra. Pp 97. Agency, Conservation Nature Australian the Canberra. Pp 67. Agency, Conservation Nature Australian the Canberra. Pp 52. Agency, Conservation Nature Australian Pp. 122. Agency. Conservation 69: 10-13. Australia Society of South of the Royal Transactions of (1987).(Magazine 11 Talk Tank from Reprinted Australia). Association, Guinea Fishes New Society). Aquarium District and the Canberra Melville, Mullin and Slade, Spencer, Ed. B. 2. Zoology. Part Australia. Expedition to central Melbourne. of the Horn Scientific Expedition to central on the work in, Report pl 16, Pp 410-411, Rivers. Melville, Mullin and Slade, Melbourne. Spencer, Ed. B. 2. Zoology. Part Australia. Thompson, G. 1990. Fish in Australian salt lakes. Salinet 4: 41–45. Salinet salt lakes. Australian Fish in G. 1990. Thompson, The observations conservation on the status blue-eye. of the redfinned Further 1992. P. Unmack, 26: Fishes Council 1994. of the Desert Proceedings under. Desert fishes down 1995. J. P. Unmack, 460– of Sahul 10: Fishes Australia. catfish from central unique Cooper Creek The 1996. J. P. Unmack, its identification and breeding Australia: of southeastern genus Hypseleotris The 2000. J. P. Unmack, Initial observations and conservation of the on the spawning status C. 1991. & Brumley, P. Unmack, and taxonomic A cladistic analysis Teraponidae). (Percoidei, perches Terapon The 1978. R. P. Vari, Fishes. DPI ConservationThe and Distribution of Queensland Freshwater Status R. 1993. Wager, to Final Report distribution and conservation of the red-finned blue-eye. The status R. 1994. Wager, Final report to Distribution and status. and Edgbaston Goby: Elizabeth Springs Goby R. 1995. Wager, Artesian Spring Fishes. Final report to the Queensland Plan for Recovery The R. 1995. Wager, Nature Australian Fishes. Freshwater Australian Plan for Action The 1993. P. R. & Jackson, Wager, No. 5 Biology-Fishes. Scientific Reports: 1939. Simpson Desert expedition The 1945. G. P. Whitley, Australian 3 (Bulletin of the Bulletin 13: The eremius - desert goby. Chlamydogobius 1992. Wilson, D. of the Horn Scientific on the work in, Report pl 16, Pisces. Pp 176-180, A. H. C. 1896. Zietz, and Barcoo fish from the Finke species of Description of an additional new A. H. C. 1896. Zietz, lake eyre 80 glossary exotic -introducedortransplanted outsidetheirnative range. endemic -native andrestrictedtoagiven area. dorsal fin-any unpairedfinontheback. dorsal -onorrelatingtotheupper surface orback. presentinanarea. adaptations oflifediversity andother -ameasureofthe numberofspeciesandthevariety history as insexual dimorphism. dimorphism -occurring intwo distinct forms, shapesorcolours;often relatedtothe sexes, fishes feed on. detritus -organicmaterial,derived fromdecomposingplantsandanimals,which some depressed -dorso-ventrally flattened. demersal -livingonthebottom orsinkingtoit(eggs). asfishfood.copepod -smallplanktonicorbenthiccrustaceans ofimportance concave inwards. -curved compressed -flattened fromsidetoside. cladocerans -smallaquaticcrustaceans. (particularly inplotosidcatfishes)which also, isusuallycontinuouswiththeanalfin. caudo-dorsal fin-thedorsalandcaudalarejoinedtoform asingle,continuousfin caudal fin. caudal peduncle-theposterior, slendersectionofthebodybehindvent andbefore the fin. caudal fin-tail carnivore (adj.carnivorous) toanimalsthatfeed -pertaining onotherlive animals. buoyant -capableoffloating. ofanimalsandplantsthatoccupiesagiven orarea. -thecommunity habitat biota benthic -occurring atornearthebottom ofthewater. function. (usuallytaste) provides sensory barbel -slender, finger-like structures aroundthemouthoronsnoutofsomefish, onornearthehead. anterior -forwards, anal fin-theunpairedjustbehindvent andinfrontofthetail. periods. aestivation (vb.aestivate) duringunsuitable -aperiodofdormancy orinactivity adipose fin-asmalldorsalwithoutrays posteriortothedorsalfin,usuallyfleshy. -characteristicsadaptation ofafishthatassistitinlivingsuccessfullyitshabitat. organs; thelower partofthebodyinfrontvent. thedigestiveabdomen (adj.abdominal)-thatpartofthebodycontaining andreproductive lake eyre 81 family - one of the categories in animal and plant classification, contains classification, and plant in animal categories - one of the one genus at least family (pl). genera or several an area or habitat. of animals inhabiting - the assemblage fauna a fish. produced by the number of eggs - fecundity of the main edge beyond that extend rays or thread-like filamentous) - slender filament (adj. a fin. fish. fingerling - a young and consists of is segmented along its length bone supporting a fin which - a flexible fin ray two branches. and is not segmented taperingfin spine - a slender which bone usually with a sharp point not branched. in an area or habitat.flora - the plants occurring fish. fry hatched newly - in plant and animal classification; containsgenus (pl. genera) - one of the categories one or more related species. habitat - a place where a species normally lives. a plant-eating animal. - herbivore from a of the ova of fish) that is the product of fertilisation - an individual (or stock hybrid of another species. the spermatozoa of one species by female waters. of flowing of the behaviour - the study hydrology areas into new distribution from its natural introduced - describes a species transferred (q.v.). species are exotic such present; not previously where it was insects and worms. as crustaceans, such backbones, - animals that do not have invertebrate the gill openings. the head, between isthmus - the area below gill openings. the the head between below to the isthmus (q.v.); jugular - used to refer scales. of the abdomen, usually composed of surface - a ridge along the ventral keel of the egg, usually larva history hatching (pl. larvae, adj. larval) life stage - the youngest after from the adult. differences shape and structural with obvious to the sides. lateral - referring of pored scales or pores in the skin along the sides of fish; the pores open lateral line - a row into sensory canals along the sides. to side. from side laterally compressed - flattened at night. and usually feeding - active nocturnal on both plants and animals. - animal that feeds (adj. omnivorous) omnivore the gill cover. operculum - a group of bones that form the body. origin (applied to fins) - the anterior most point of the fin, normally where it joins lake eyre 82 year class-all individualsofa populationborn inany given year. ventral fins-seepelvicfins. ventral -refers tothelower surface of the body. canal,anus. vent -theexternal openingofthealimentary natural distribution. translocation -themovement offishordistinctgeneticstocks offishtoareasoutside their lobes arebroughttogether. (abbrev. TL). length -thelengthfromendofsnouttocaudalfinwhenboth total thoracicpelvic fins. e.g., thoracic -theareaofventral surface below thepectoralfinsbases,justbehindhead; testes -malereproductive organs. especially ofitsown species, tobeexcluded from. -anareawithinwhichterritory afishmay live andfromwhich itmay causeintruders, last vertebrae) (abbrev. SL). length-thedistancefromendofsnouttohypural plate(themodified standard spine -seefinspine. behaviour. isolated fromotherpopulations;speciesareoften, butnotalways distinctinappearanceand species -agroupofactually orpotentiallyinterbreedingpopulationsthatisreproductively sexual dimorphism-seedimorphism. uplands. riparian -referring tothezone alongbanksofrivers andlakes between thewater anddrier ray -seefinray. posterior -towards thetail. plankton -microscopicorganismsthatlive nearoratthesurface ofwaterholes orlakes. piscivorous -fish-eatinganimal. (q.v.), thoracic(q.v.) orabdominal(q.v.); often referred toasventral fins. pelvic fins-pairedpositionedontheventral surface between theheadandvent; jugular pelagic -occurringindeepwater away free-floatingeggs. fromland;freeswimming, pectoral fins-pairedjustbehindthegillopenings. pimple inappearance. papilla (pluralpapillae)-asmallusuallyfleshy partprojectingfromthebody(similartoa paired fins-thatoccurinpairs,pectoralandpelvicfins. ovaries -female reproductiveova. organscontaining ova ovum) -eggs. (sing. ostracods -smallaquaticcrustaceans thathave bivalve-like shells.

lake eyre 83

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r e t n u r G d e d n a B------s e d i o c r e p a b a t a i n m A ✓ ✓ ✓

h c r e P n e d l o G r e v i R o l l u B ------. p s a i r a u q c a M ✓

h c r e P n e d l o G e r y E e k a L------. p s a i r a u q c a M ✓ ✓✓✓

t e l h c r e P a d n a h C n r e t s e W------i r e l l u m s i s s a b m A ✓ ✓✓✓

e y e - e u l B d e n n i f - d e R------s i n n i p i l i e m r e v s e y h t h c i n i g i r u t a c S ✓

h s i f w o b n i a R t r e s e D ------i e t a t a d i d n e l p s a i n e a t o n a l e M ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓

d a e h y d r a H g n i r p S n o t s a b g d E------p s . n s u l a h p e c o r e t a r C ✓

------d a e h y d r a H s ' r e v o l C --- i r e v o l g s u l a h p e c o r e t a r C ✓

d a e h y d r a H e r y E e k a L------i i s e r y e s u l a h p e c o r e t a r C ✓✓✓ ✓✓

------d a e h y d r a H e i s u o h l a D --- s i s n e i s u o h l a d s u l a h p e c o r e t a r C ✓

------d a e h y d r a H e k n i F -- s i l a r t n e c s u l a h p e c o r e t a r C ✓

n a d n a T r e v l i S ------s u e t n e g r a s u l i h c o r o P ✓✓✓ ✓ ✓

n a d n a T k e e r C r e p o o C------s i s n e r e p o o c s u r u l i s o e N ✓

h s i f t a C d e n i p s - e s l a F ------. p s s u r u l i s o e N ✓

------h s i f t a C e i s u o h l a D --- i r e v o l g s u r u l i s o e N ✓

n a d n a T i i l t r y h . f f a s u r u l i s o e N ✓

n a d n a T s ' l t r y H ------i i l t r y h s u r u l i s o e N ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓ ✓

t l e m S n a i l a r t s u A------i n o m e s a n n i p o r t e R ✓ ✓

m a e r B y n o B - -- - i b e r e a s o l o t a m e N ✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

S E I C E P S E V I T A N

n i s a B P TH Fo Di Ms Na Fe Lr GE De Ci Bo u Ba appendix lake eyre 84

Leiopotherapon unicolor Spangled Perch ✔ - ✔ ✔ ✔✔✔✔ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Scortumbarcoo BarcooGrunter ✔ - ✔✔✔------Hypseleotrisklunzingeri WesternCarpGudgeon ✔-✔------Hypseleotrissp.A Midgley'sCarpGudgeon ✔-✔------Hypseleotrissp.B L--ake'sCarpGudgeon ✔------Mogurndaadspersa Dalhousie(Finke)Purple-spottedGudgeon ------✓✓ -- Mogurndaadspersa Barcoo(FlindersRange)Purple-spottedGudgeon ?-v---✓------Mogurndaadspersa BullooPurple-spottedGudgeon ✓------Chlamydogobiuseremius D------esertGoby ✓✓ ---- - Chlamydogobiusgloveri DalhousieGoby ------✓--- Chlamydogobiusjapala FinkeGoby ------✓-- Chlamydogobiusmicropterus E---lizabethSpringsGoby ✓------Chlamydogobiussquamigenus E--dgbastonGoby ✓------Glossogobiusaureus G----oldenGoby ✓------INTRODUCEDNATIVES Maccullochellapeelipeeli M--urrayCod ✓------Macquariaambigua MurrayRiverGoldenPerch ------✓ Bidyanusbidyanus S------ilverPerch ✓------EXOTICSPECIES Gambusiaholbrooki Gambusia ✓-✓✓--✓✓ ---- - Carassiusauratus G--oldfish ✓------Cyprinuscarpio C------arp ✓------S)PECIESPERBASIN(Introduced)10)3(12)0(3111(1145)(3 )7470(1 111(1 ) lake eyre 85

Peter J. Unmack J. Peter fish species, particularly those that long interest in native also has a strong and Peter In the mid-eighties he became angler. He is also a keen he collected or bred himself. fish. freshwater native Australian interested in the conservation keenly and biology of Australia. throughout the eastern half of Since then has collected fish extensively conservation academic interests are broad and include desert spring and Peter’s to one year for Davis the University of California, he attended In 1995 ecology. He recently finished a student. an exchange complete an undergraduate degree as Australian of State on the biogeography Arizona University Masters Degree at fishes and is currently undertakinghistorical biogeography a PhD on the freshwater of Percichthyidae. and systematics Rob Wager Rob studied fish. He freshwater native Australian in interest has a life-long Wager Rob Queensland and of at the University and fisheries biology aquatic ecology geology, and as an research, fisheries aquaculture, limnology, in the fields of has worked environmental consultant. of Primary of the Department Fisheries Section in the Industries, worked Rob bass Australian on spawning During this time he worked eight years. Queensland for of the endangered Mary cod, the and spawning the biology and barramundi, River conservation fishes and the conservation of artesian spring management of and during that time. his fish farm fishes. He also developed Queensland freshwater consulting Pty Ltd, an aquatic environment Aquatics is Raintree pursuit current Rob’s artesian springs on undertakes work Aquatics Raintree business established in 1995. and artificial freshwater monitoring and managing natural management, assessment, and developments management plans for and preparing environmental ecosystems for breeding fish continue to operate their fish farm, family and his Rob aquaculture. mosquito control, recreation and ornamental uses.

authors about the about lake eyre 86 lake eyre 87 lake eyre 88