Download A PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST OF NATIVE FISH SPECIES WITHIN

A PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST OF NATIVE FISH SPECIES
WITHIN THE ORARA WATERSHED
AS OF 11\11\93 – UNFINISHED T.Davidson
IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY FAMILY
AMBASSIDAE:
Ambassis nigripinnis
ANGUILLIDAE:
Anguilla australis
Anguilla reinhardtii
ARIDAE:
Arius graeffei
ATHERINIDAE:
Craterocephalus majoriae
BELONIDAE:
Strongylura kreffti
CLUPEIDAE:
Pomatolosa richmondia
ELEOTRDAE:
Gobiomorphus australis
Hypseleotris galii
Philypnodon species 1
HEMIHAMPHRIDAE:
Arrhamphur scleropages
MEGALOPIDAE:
Megalops cyprinoides
MELANOTAENIIDAE:
Melanotaenia duboulayi
Pseudomugil signifor
Rhadinocentrus ornatus
MUDILIDAE:
Myxus pethardi
PERCHICHTHYDAE:
Maccullochella ikei
Macquaria novemaculeata
PLOTOSIDAE:
Tandanus tandanus
RETROPINNIDAE:
Retropinna semoni
SCORPAENIDAE:
Notesthes robusta
METHODOLOGY
Selection of Collection Sites:
Sites were chosen so as to cover as many types of riparian vegetation as
possible, this includes _interface areas_ i.e.; where pasture intrudes into native
vegetated areas.
Accessibility was an important selection criteria as areas were to be sampled
during times of flood as well as drought! This however, was found to be
logistically a nightmare and beyond my financial means.
Sampling:
Each chosen site is randomly sampled during the various seasons to ascertain
any seasonal changes in fish populations. Three methods of sampling are used
they are as follows:
1.
A modified _Japanese Style_ hand seine (1mm mesh)
2.
Rod and reel angling for large species, using different methods for
different species fly rod for P. richmondia
3.
Use of skin diving for observation of fish seen but not collected, by
methods 1 and 2
Sampling started in March 1986 and is continuing. Only fish captured have been
recorded, I do not have the financial resources necessary to offer quantative
information on a scientific basis. This work should be considered as unfinished
and therefore incomplete.
SECTION 2
Collection Site
1)
Howards Crossing C.M.A. TOPOGRAPHIC MAP 9438-2-S (BLAXLANDS
FLAT)
Small rapids and riffles interspersed with deep ponds. Heavily vegetated
banks (native riparian vegetation). This site is on Crown Land.
LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED
1.
Anguilla reinhardtii
-
Long Eel
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
*
10.
Gambusia affinis holbrooki
Mosquitoe Fish
Gobiomorphus australis Striped Gudgeon
Hypseleotris compressa
Empire Gudgeon
Hypseleotris galii
Firetail Gudgeon
Rhadinocentrus ornatus
Ornate Rainbowfish
Maccullochella ikei
Clarence River Cod
Macquaria novemaculeata Australian Bass
Melanotaenia duboulayi Crimson Spotted
Rainbow Fish
Megalops cypirinoides
Ox_eye Herring
11.
Myxus petardi
12
13
Notesthes robusta
Pomatolosa richmondia
14.
15.
Retropinna semoni
Tandanus tandanus -
-
Freshwater Pinkeye
Mullet
Bullrout or Kroki
Freshwater or Nepean
Herring
Austrailian Smelt
Eel - tailed Catfish
NOTE:- + Refer to Appendix E
* Refer to Appendix D
Collection Site
2)
McGillis Road Area
Slow meandering section, most riparian vegetation intact. Substrates of
sand, gravel and rock ledges. Private landholdings with _Protected Land_
provisions under _Soil Conservation act_ as slope exceeds 18 degrees.
LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED
1. Anguilla reinhardtil
2. Gobiomorphus australis
3. Hypseleotris galii
4. Macquaria novemaculeata
5. Melanotaenia duboulayi
6. Myxus pethordi
7. Pomatolosa richmondia
8. Retropinna semoni
9. Tandanus tandanus
- Long-Finned Eel
- Striped Gudgeon
- Firetail Gudgeons
- Australian Bass
- Crimson Spotted
Rainbow fish
- Freshwater or
Pinkeye Mullet
- Freshwater or
Nepean Herring
- Australian Smelt
- Eel-Tailed Catfish
Observations of large M. ikei (by landholders K and L Whitmore) in deep
pods adjacent to McGills Road, confirms a visual sighting by myself,
however, I have not collected any and so do not include this species as
having been positively identified.
Collection Site
3.
_Bull Paddock_
on
A large, deep lake like section characterised by great depth (> 10 metres)
and little water movement. Diminished riparian vegetation, land was
previously used for cattle grazing. Currently under rural lot (740 hectares)
sub-division. Bottom structure predominately sand and silt. Aquatic flora
shallow areas are Giant Water Lilies and Dwarf Hair Grass.
LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED
1. Anguilla reinhardtii
2. Macquaria novemaculeata
3. Maccullochella ikei
4. Melanotaenia duboulayi 5. Myxus petardi
6. Notesthes robusta
7. Pomatolosa richmondia
8. Tandanus tandanus
Long-Finned Eel
Australian Bass
Clarence River Cod
Crimson-Spotted Rainbow fish
Freshwater or
Pinkeye Mullet
Bullrout or Kroki
Freshwater Herring
Eel-tailed Catfish
Collection Sites
4.
(A)
Scarlets Creek directly upstream of road Bridge (Orara Way
Glenreagh Road). Riparian vegetation is parse re-growth of
Casuarina species and Acacia species. Bottom structure is gravel
and sand.
LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED
1.
2.
3.
4.
Gambusia affinis
Gobiomorphus australia
Hypseleotris galii
Melanotaenia duboulayi
Mosquitoe Fish
Striped Gudgeon
Firetail Gudgeon
Crimson Spotted
Rainbow Fish
(B)
is 20 to 30 metres of above site.
Riparian vegetation is denser and shades parts of stream, bottom
structure as in site 4 (A).
List of species collected is identical to 4 (A) above, however, the
population structure is dominated by native species and G. affinis is
present in greatly reduced numbers when compared with site 4 (A)
where it is the dominant species.
*NOTE*
Site 4 (A) was bulldozed over to make a temporary by-pass while bridge
reconstruction took place. Resulting siltation has filled in the stream bed and can
no longer be used as a collection site.
Collection Site
6.
now
30-50 metres upstream of site 1, intermittent rapid with large gravel
substrate and dense clumps of Vallisneria species, interspersed with deep
pools with rock ledges and sand bottoms. One bank (East) has extensive
native vegetation, the other bank (West) was cleared for grazing, but is
used for vegetation production and
is currently being replanted by the owner
(Mr T. Flanagan).
LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED
1. Anguilla reinhardtii
-
2. Gobiomorphus australis -
Striped Gudgeon
3. Hypseleotris galii
Firetail Gudgeon
-
Long-Finned Eel
4. Macquaria novemaculeata
-
Australian Bass
5. Retropinna semoni
-
Australian Smelt
6. Tandanus tandanus
-
Eel-tailed Catfish
Collection Site
7.
(A)
Dundoo Creek (bridge)
Steep banks, heavily vegetated with regrowth of antive riparian
vegetation.
LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED
1. Anguilla reinhardtii
2. Gobiomorphus australis 3. Gambusila affinis
4. Hypseleotris galii
5. Macquaria novemaculeata
6. Tandanus tandanus
Long-Finned Eel
Striped Gudgeon
Mosquitoe Fish
Firetail Gudgeon
Australian Bass
Eel Tailed Catfish
(B)
Dundoo Creek (Kungala)
Winding creek through cattle pasture, little vegetation, Melaleuca
species predominate. Aquatic plants are Vallisneria species and
exotic grasses.
LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED
1.
Anguilla reinhardtii
-
Long-Finned Eel
2.
Gambusia affinis
-
Mosquitoe Fish
3.
Hypseleotris galii
-
Firetail Gudgeon
SECTION 3
Collection Sites
2.
Blaxlands Creek (1)
Gravel bed, alternating rapid shallows and deep pools. Variable flow.
LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED
1.
Macquaria novenaculeata
-
Australian Bass
2.
Myxus petardi
-
Freshwater or
Pinkeye Mullet
3.
Pomatolosa richmondia
Bullrout or
Kroki
4.
Tandanus tandanus
-
Eel-Tailed Catfish
COLLECTION SITES
1.
Ramornie Village, approximately 1 kilometre upstream of bridge.
of
Mostly undisturbed natural bank with overhanging trees. Large volumes
flow. Variable visibility.
LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED
1.
Anguilla reinhardtii
-
2.
Arius graeffei
3.
Arrhamphus sclerolepis(Krefftii)
Snub_nosed
Garfish
4.
Macquaria novemaculeata -
Australian Bass
5.
Melanotaenia duboulayi
Crimson Spotted
Rainbowfish
6.
Notesthes robusta
Bullrout or
Kroki
7.
Pomatolosa richmondia
-
8.
Tandanus tandanus
-
-
Long
Finned Eel
Blue Catfish
Freshwater Herring
Eel-tailed Catfish
COLLECTION SITES
2.
Blaxlands Creek (2) >T.S.R.
Gravel and sand substrate rapids and deep pools.
LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED
1.
Anguilla reinhardtii
-
Long-Finned Eel
2.
Macquaria novemaculeata -
Australian Bass
3.
Pomatolosa richmondia
-
Freshwater Herring
4.
Retropinna semoni
-
Australian Smelt
5.
Tandanus tandanus
-
Eel-Tailed Catfish
COLLECTION SITES
3.
Koukandowie Creek
Soft substrate, low flow, large pools. Introduced aquatic flora includes
water lilies
LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED
1.
Gambusia affinis
-
Mosquitoe Fish
2.
Hypseleotris galli
-
Firetail Gudgeon
APPENDIX A
Tidal influence occurs within the Orara River system affecting both, rate of flow
and water levels., Even in times of drought, no salt or brackish water penetrates
this stream.e. The water level fluctuates between 12-18 inches and coincides
with daily tidals highs and lows.
APPENDIX B
Gambusia affinis is distributed throughout the system but it has been noted that
the numbers of this species vary greatly between heavily timbered banked areas
low numbers) and areas adjacent to cleared land where G. affinis dominates
(SEE SECTION 2, 7) KUNGALA).
This species also demonstrates a marked preference for still or slow flowing
water with a heavy growth of exotic grasses.
APPENDIX C
Tank observations of interaction between Gambusia affinis and Hypseleotris gallii
demonstrates that H. gallii because of its territorial behaviour and its swimming
action, does not succumb to invasion of G. affinis. G. affinis seems to prefer to
nip off pieces of fins from fish in mid water or surface altitude. H. gallii bottom
hopping habits don_t attract attention and therefore survive in areas with very
high numbers of G. affinis. (SEE SECTION 2 - SITE 7 AND SECTION 3 - SITE
3).
APPENDIX D
During early sampling studies the author captured one Megalops cyprinoides.
Since then no further specimens have been collected. This unusual capture
occurred after a prolonged drought (1986) mid summer.
(SEE SECTION 2 -0 SITE 1 HAYWARDS CROSSING)
APPENDIX E
The author caught one specimen of Maccullochella species 1 (67 cm standard
length) while angling for Bass. This capture occurred before release of ingerlings
by Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and its size indicates that remanents
of the once common fish still exists within sections of the Orara.
Unfortunately, the particular area where this individual specimen was captured
(and released unharmed) has been undergoing massive siltation due to large
scale land clearance for horticultural development.
It is hoped that changing public attitudes to environmental issues as well as
education of fishermen (the major threat) will result in self sustaining populations
of this large native fish, existing for future generations.
(SEE SECTION 2 - SITE 1 HAYWARDS CROSSING)
APPENDIX F
Ambassis nigripinnis has only been found in one small creek, Talluwudja Creek.
It appears to prefer areas of low flow adjacent to the main current and dense
patches of aquatic vegetation. Large numbers of this species collected at section
2 site A (C) were found to be infected with the fungus saprolegnia and to a less
extent lernaea.
APPENDENDIX G
Bidyanus bidyanus is now present in small schools in Kangaroo Ck and reports
from residents landholders suggests that both this species and also Macquaria
ambigua (Golden Perch) have entered the Orara system from ill concieved
attempts at stocking farm dams . The long term effects of
these introductions are unknown and it remains to be seen if these species will
breed successfully and compete with local species.
Update on early work.
The species formally known as Gambusia affinis has been re-assigned to
Gambusia affinis holbrooki. The species formally known as Ambassis nigripinnis
has been renamed as Parambassis agassizi. The common name used to refer to
M.ikei, is now Eastern Freshwater Cod, previously Clarence river Cod, this
change is due to recognition that the species inhabited the Richmond as well as
possibly other river systems.