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Arthurs paragalaxias |
Scientific: |
Paragalaxias mesotes |
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| General: | Arthurs paragalaxias occurs only in Woods and Arthurs lakes and the Lake River just below Woods Lake on the Central Plateau of Tasmania. The species appears to be more abundant in Arthurs Lake than in Woods Lake, where it is rarely seen. |
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Atlantic salmon |
Scientific: |
Salmo salar |
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| General: | Occurs naturally in cold waters flowing into the North Atlantic Ocean. The first attempt to introduce Atlantic salmon to Tasmania was made from Europe in 1864. This, and several other attempts both last century and in the early 1900's, were unsuccessful in establishing wild populations in lakes or streams. In fact, there are no self-sustaining populations recorded in Australia. In recent years, a successful reintroduction of this species has occurred for sea-cage aquaculture in Tasmania. Fish were transferred under quarantine from a landlocked hatchery in New South Wales and established in hatcheries supplying a number of sea-cage farms |
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Clarence galaxias |
Scientific: |
Galaxias johnstoni |
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| General: | An endemic Tasmanian species found only in the Clarence River catchment and parts of the upper Derwent and Nive catchments. It is now reduced to six isolated populations and is no longer found in the lower Clarence catchment, due to the invasion of brown trout (Salmo trutta). Although able to co-exist with brook trout in Clarence lagoon it is thought that brown trout out compete and/or prey upon Clarence galaxias |
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Eastern gambusia |
Scientific: |
Gambusia holbrooki |
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| General: | These fish are native to North America and were introduced to Australia in 1925 to assist with mosquito control. Unfortunately, they are not effective at controlling mosquitoes and have the potential to impact heavily on other fish species. The main reasons for the latter are: that they have an effective breeding strategy, bearing live young not eggs; they are particularly aggressive for a small fish and will predate upon and compete for food with native fish species; and they are hardy, being able to withstand a wide range of water temperatures (3 to 41oC), oxygen levels and salinities. Gambusia have been implicated in the decline of several small native fish species, and there is evidence to suggest that they can have a significant impact on frog populations |
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Great Lake paragalaxias |
Scientific: |
Paragalaxias eleotroides |
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| General: | Known only from Great Lake and Shannon and Penstock Lagoons in the Central Plateau. It shares the lakes with Shannon paragalaxias but is more common at greater depths than around the lake shores. Behaviour includes propping itself up with its pectoral fins, head elevated, and darting from place to place. |
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Pedder galaxias |
Scientific: |
Galaxias pedderensis |
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| General: | The Pedder galaxias is Australia's most endangered freshwater fish species. It is naturally found only in south-west Tasmania in Lake Pedder and its tributary streams, and was reported as common before Lake Pedder was flooded for hydro electricity in the early 1970s. During the 1980s the population sharply declined to the point where the species is now apparently extinct within its natural range. To save the species from extinction, 31 individuals were moved to a nearby lake in 1991-92 and recent surveys by the IFS have confirmed that a small breeding population has established there |
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Shannon paragalaxias |
Scientific: |
Paragalaxias dissimilis |
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| General: | This species can only be found in Great Lake, Shannon Lagoon, the Shannon River and Penstock Lagoon. The two lagoons are artificial impoundments and their populations may have been derived from those in Great Lake. The Great Lake paragalaxias occurs in the same lakes, but the Shannon paragalaxias is more common around the lake margins. In an aquarium it is active and swims in mid-water rather than resting on the bottom |
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Swan galaxias |
Scientific: |
Galaxias fontanus |
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| General: | Found only in the Swan and Macquarie River catchments in eastern Tasmania, the species now lives only in small headwater streams that are inaccessible to predatory introduced species (brown trout; redfin perch). It is considered endangered due to its small and fragmented populations. The juveniles' preference to form schools in open water makes them particularly susceptible to predation from the introduced brown trout (Salmo trutta). |
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Tasmanian freshwater crayfish |
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Tasmanian mudfish |
Scientific: |
Neochanna cleaveri |
Other: |
Formally known as Galaxias cleaveri; Mud galaxias |
| General: | 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 |
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Tasmanian smelt |
Scientific: |
Retropinna tasmanica |
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| General: | Endemic to Tasmania, occurring in the lower reaches of coastal streams. Landlocked populations occur in lowland areas. They are closely related to the southern graylings. They are very fragile fish with easily dislodged scales |
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Tasmanian whitebait |
Scientific: |
Lovettia sealii |
Other: |
Whitebait |
| General: | Endemic to Tasmania, where they once formed the basis for a large commercial fishery. At certain times in most rivers today, their upstream spawning migrations still form a large component of the whitebait run. |
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Western paragalaxias |
Scientific: |
Paragalaxias julianus |
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| General: | It occurs in lakes in the upper reaches of the Ouse, James and Little Pine rivers in the area known as the Western Lakes on the Central Plateau of Tasmania |
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brook trout |
Scientific: |
Salvelinus fontinalis |
Other: |
Brook Char, fontinalis |
| General: | Brook trout are native to the east coast of North America. They were first introduced to Tasmania in 1883, but this introduction was unsuccessful. They were introduced again from Canada as recently as 1962 and a wild population has established in Clarence Lagoon. Other releases have occurred in the Anthony/Henty region on the west coast of Tasmania. Brood stock are also held at the Inland Fisheries Service hatchery at the Salmon Ponds, Plenty |
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brown salmon cross |
Scientific: |
Salmo trutta x Salmo salar |
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brown trout |
Scientific: |
Salmo trutta |
Other: |
Sea trout, Englishman |
| General: | They are native to Europe and have been introduced all over the world. They were introduced into Tasmania from England in 1864. Will spawn only if there is sufficient water velocity and depth over suitable gravel beds. Most lakes and rivers in Tasmania maintain their own populations, but in some cases, waters are stocked solely for angling purposes. Brown trout form the basis of an extensive recreational fishery contributing millions of dollars to the Tasmanian economy annually. |
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carp |
Scientific: |
Cyprinus carpio |
Other: |
European or common carp |
| General: | The carp (European or Common Carp) is a member of the family Cyprinidae, which contains about 1500 species worldwide. These include goldfish and tench which have also been introduced into Tasmanian waterways. Carp were first discovered in the North-West of Tasmania in 1975 and again in 1980. These populations were eradicated by the Inland Fisheries using the fish poison rotenone. Carp were again discovered in Tasmania in early 1995, this time in the popular recreational trout waters of lakes Crescent and Sorell. Following the discovery of this latest infestation, the Inland Fisheries Service has been actively fishing carp populations down and ensuring their containment to these waterways. An ongoing program has been developed and funded by the State Government to deal with Tasmania's carp problem. Carp have been blamed for many of the problems encountered by fishery and water resource managers. These include: destruction of fragile aquatic macrophytes (water plants); increase in turbidity; damage to stream beds and irrigation channels; nutrient enrichment of waterways leading to algal blooms; competitive interactions with desirable fish species; introduction of new parasites and diseases to desirable fish species. Although carp have been linked to some of these problems, particularly at high densities, there is generally a poor understanding of the real impacts of carp. Many of the problems attributed to carp may be symptoms of wider environmental problems such as salinity, habitat destruction, water quality deterioration and flow reduction. Carp have been declared a controlled fish under the Inland Fisheries Act 1995 and may not be imported, moved or kept in this state and there are heavy fines for doing so. |
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climbing galaxias |
Scientific: |
Galaxias brevipinnis |
Other: |
Broad-finned galaxias |
| General: | Native to Tasmania and also south-east Australia and New Zealand. It is the most widespread of the Tasmanian galaxias. It has both riverine and landlocked populations, and the juvenile especially is noted for its climbing ability using its large pectoral and pelvic fins. Consequently it is often found in the upper reaches of streams, past barriers blocking other fishes upstream movements. It is also the largest of the Tasmanian galaxias. |
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dwarf galaxias |
Scientific: |
Galaxiella pusilla |
Other: |
Eastern little galaxias |
| General: | Native to north-eastern and north-west Tasmania, Flinders Island and parts of the south-east Australia. The females grow larger than the males. They are capable of surviving for several months in existing burrows or under logs and stones if their water source dries up. Habitat loss from wetland draining is limiting its available habitat |
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freshwater invertebrates |
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Other: |
Water Bugs, insects |
| General: | Macro-invertebrates refers to a whole range of different species of 'bugs' that live or spend part of their life cycle in water. They are an ideal way to gauge the 'health' of rivers and streams. Different species of invertebrates show various levels of sensitivity to deterioration in water and habitat quality. Generally the poorer the quality of the water, the less diversity of invertebrates that will be found. Some of the more sensitive include mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, dragon and damsel flies. Beetles, water boatmen and shrimp tend to have moderate tolerance, and the more tolerant (can survive poorer water quality) include snails, worms, chironomids, blackfly and mosquito larvae. |
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giant freshwater lobster |
Scientific: |
Astacopsis gouldi |
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| General: | They are the largest freshwater invertebrate in the world. Due to over fishing, their slow growth and low reproductive rates, plus their sensitivity to degraded habitat, severe population declines have been recorded over most of their distribution. They are now listed as vulnerable, and are totally protected. They are believed to live to up to 60 years |
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golden galaxias |
Scientific: |
Galaxias auratus |
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| General: | Found only in lakes Sorell and Crescent in central Tasmania. Although it is abundant in these two lakes, its limited distribution and threats from introduced species (carp, trout) and habitat degradation has caused it to be listed as threatened. It is one of the few galaxiid species that seems to be able to tolerate the presence of the predatory brown trout (Salmo trutta). |
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goldfish |
Scientific: |
Carassius auratus |
Other: |
Ornamental Goldfish, Wild Goldfish |
| General: | Native to Asia, but is now found world wide because of its use as an ornamental fish. Tasmanian populations are thought to be from the release of aquarium pets. Occasional individuals are found in streams and lakes and they are locally abundant in farm dams. |
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grayling |
Scientific: |
Prototroctes maraena |
Other: |
Cucumber mullet, cucumber herring |
| General: | They are native to Tasmania and south east mainland Australia. It is thought that overfishing and habitat loss has caused a reduction in numbers to the point of being uncommon, although they are still quite widespread. They are closely related to the Tasmanian smelt. |
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jollytail |
Scientific: |
Galaxias maculatus |
Other: |
Common galaxias, minnow |
| General: | Native to Tasmania and one of the most commonly occurring, and best known of the galaxias. Juveniles form a substantial part of the whitebait runs. It also has a much wider distribution than other Tasmanian galaxias, occurring in south-east Australia, New Zealand, South America and some Pacific islands. They can occur in both riverine and landlocked populations. |
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long-finned eel |
Scientific: |
Anguilla reinhardtii |
Other: |
Spotted eel |
| General: | Native to Tasmania and south east Australia, New Zealand and some Pacific Islands, although in Tasmania it is more common in the north east. Females grow larger than males and both sexes can probably exceed 30 years of age. They are taken in small quantities by commercial eel fishermen, but consumer demand is not as high compared to the short-finned eel |
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pouched lamprey and short-headed lamprey |
Scientific: |
Geotria australis Mordacia mordax |
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| General: | They are native to Tasmania and south-east Australia. Lampreys together with hagfishes are the sole surviving representatives of jawless vertebrates. The adult lampreys are parasitic, attaching themselves to a host sea fish, and then extracting blood and muscle tissue. The returning migrating adults are capable of climbing wet vertical faces |
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pygmy perch |
Scientific: |
Nannoperca australis |
Other: |
Southern pygmy perch |
| General: | They are native to streams of the north coast as well as the south-east Australia. Because of the introduction of trout, their range has been reduced. The female typically grows larger then the males, and during the breeding season the males become much more brightly coloured, with red dorsal and anal fins as well as the tail |
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rainbow trout |
Scientific: |
Oncorhynchus mykiss |
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| General: | Native to the west coast of North America and the pacific coast of North Asia (Siberia), this fish has been introduced into many countries around the world. It was first introduced into Tasmania via New Zealand in 1898. Occurs commonly around most of the state, but tends to be more successful in lakes than rivers. Self-maintaining populations are not common, and consequently many lakes and private farm dams are stocked for angling purposes. They are considered by many anglers to have better fighting qualities than brown trout. They also make-up an important part of Tasmania's fin fish aquaculture industry |
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redfin perch |
Scientific: |
Perca fluviatilis |
Other: |
English perch |
| General: | Introduced into Tasmania in 1861 from Europe. They are not generally favoured by Tasmanian anglers due to their small size, although they have good fighting and eating qualities. The Inland Fisheries Service views redfin perch as an introduced pest fish. This is due to its ability to out compete native fish, and in some cases seriously reduce or even eradicate populations, it has also been shown to prey on juvenile trout. Many populations around the state are dominated by stunted mature fish |
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river blackfish |
Scientific: |
Gadopsis marmoratus |
Other: |
freshwater balckfish, marbled river cod |
| General: | Native to streams on the states north coast as well as south east Australia. They have been established in several other waterways around the state through introductions. They will spawn in introduced habitat such as PVC pipes |
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saddled galaxias |
Scientific: |
Galaxias tanycephalus |
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| General: | The saddled galaxias occurs only in Arthurs and Woods lakes in high elevation central Tasmania, and is more abundant in Woods Lake than Arthurs Lake. Woods lake has a large amount of phytoplankton and zooplankton that could support large populations of planktivorous larvae and predation by trout may be reduced by the turbid water. In contrast, Arthurs lake is very clear with little plankton present, which probably allows greater predation and provides less food for the larvae |
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sandy |
Scientific: |
Pseudaphritis urvillii |
Other: |
Freshwater flathead, congolli, roach, pike |
| General: | Native to Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands and south east Australia. It is abundant in coastal streams around the state and can be found in both fresh and salt water. There may be some habitat differences between the males and females |
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short-finned eel |
Scientific: |
Anguilla australis |
Other: |
Silver eel, yellow eel |
| General: | Native to Tasmania and south east Australia and New Zealand. Females grow larger then the males, and both sexes probably exceed 30 years of age. Sexual maturity for males is between 8 and 12 years, for females it is between 10 and 20 years. Large females can contain as many as 10 million eggs. In Tasmania and Victoria the adults form the basis of a commercial eel fishery |
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spotted galaxias |
Scientific: |
Galaxias truttaceus |
Other: |
Spotted mountain trout |
| General: | Native to Tasmania and the southern mainland, they are one of the more common galaxias. They occur in both landlocked and riverine populations. Maturity is not reached until at least two years of age |
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swamp galaxias |
Scientific: |
Galaxias parvus |
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| General: | The swamp galaxias is found only in the south-west of Tasmania in swamps and streams in the Lake Pedder area (Gordon and Huon catchments). Whilst this species was initially abundant after the flooding of Lake Pedder in the early 1970's, it has declined in recent years and no longer occurs in the impoundment itself. Competition and predation from brown trout (Salmo trutta) and climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis), as well as the loss of habitat, are likely to be be contributing to these observed declines. |
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tench |
Scientific: |
Tinca tinca |
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| General: | Tench were introduced into Tasmania from Europe and were well established by the 1880's. They are usually found in slow flowing or still freshwater habitats, often in weed and deep sheltered holes. They are not usually found in large numbers in Tasmania, although they form dense populations in degraded systems. Specimens of up to 3 kg have been caught in Tasmania but the tench is not favoured as a sporting or table fish by local anglers |
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tiger trout |
Scientific: |
Salmo trutta x Salvelinus fontinalis |
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| General: | Bred as a display fish and novelty species at the Salmon Ponds Hatchery. Occasionally released into a few waters, eg. the Pet Dam, Lake Dulverton and Pawleena Lagoon. |
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whitebait identification |
Scientific: |
Lovettia sealii |
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| General: | Endemic to Tasmania, where they once formed the basis for a large commercial fishery. At certain times in most rivers today, their upstream spawning migrations still form a large component of the whitebait run. |
