This species may not be taken without a permit, unless captured by the use of a bush pole. A bush pole is defined as a length of wood that is not less than one metre in length and does not have a reel and running line. Juveniles are often found in whitebait runs, for which there is a restricted recreational season requiring a Whitebait Licence.

Small elongated fish that have a single soft-rayed dorsal fin on their back. There are no scales present, but they do have a lateral line. The anal fin starts a little behind the dorsal fin

It is usually brown to greenish-brown on the back and sides with numerous darker stripes and patches. The belly is usually greyish in colour.

Commonly about 80 mm, but up to 125 mm

Native to Tasmania and southern Victoria. They are capable of living in marginal swamps and ditches with no noticeable flow. The swampy areas that they inhabit is under continual threat from drainage and marsh reclamation practices

Spawning habits are unstudied, but it is believed to spawn in winter. The juvenile fish then form part of the whitebait run returning in spring after about two or three months at sea. They then take up residence in the lower reaches of coastal streams

A secretive fish that is rarely seen except for feeding. Found mostly in still waters in heavily vegetated mud-bottom swampy areas near the coast, and the lower parts of coastal streams. Tends to be mostly nocturnal. During dry periods it is able to burrow into the mud, or hide under logs and stones, and survive for extended periods

Although unstudied, it is presumed to feed on terrestrial and aquatic insects and other small animals

In-stream barriers preventing migration runs; Drainage of large areas of swamp and wetlands; Contaminants entering rivers and streams; Loss of instream and marsh habitat.

Reasonably common at low elevations all around the coast, although adults are not often seen