Download Distribution of Exotic Freshwater Fishes in the Wet

Distribution of Exotic Freshwater Fishes in the Wet
Tropics Region, Northern Queensland, Australia
Report 09/19
Damien W. Burrows
Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research,
James Cook University.
Townsville, Qld 4811
Phone 07-47814262
Supported by the Australian Government’s
Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility
CONTENTS
List of Figures................................................................................. .................................
List of Tables...................................................................................................................
Introduction....................................................................................................................1
Methods and Data Acquisition......................................................................................1
Distribution of Exotic Fish Species..............................................................................2
Species Summaries.......................................................................................................7
Geographic Summaries................................................................................................10
Discussion.....................................................................................................................22
References….................................................................................................................25
List of Figures
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Figure 3.
Figure 4.
Figure 5.
Figure 6.
Figure 7.
Figure 8.
Maps Showing Frequency of Occurrence of Exotic Species Across the
Wet Tropics Catchments. ........................................................................5
Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Mossman,
Daintree and Bloomfield Catchments.......................................................11
Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Barron
catchment including Cairns urban streams..............................................14
Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the RussellMulgrave catchment, including Trinity Inlet..............................................16
Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Johnstone
catchment, including Liverpool and Maria
Creeks......................................................................................................17
Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Tully-Murray
catchment including the streams around Cardwell and Hinchinbrook
Island………………………………………………………………………….19
Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Herbert
catchment……………………………........................................................21
Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Wet Tropics
region………………………………….......................................................23
List of Tables
Table 1.
Table 2.
No. Sites Surveyed for Freshwater Fish in the Wet Tropics Region (listed
by basin from north to south)……..............................................................3
List of Exotic Fish Species Recorded from the Wet Tropics
region………………....................................................................................4
Introduction
Exotic fish species pose a serious threat to the biological integrity of aquatic
ecosystems. They are particularly serious in the Wet Tropics region for three primary
reasons. Firstly, the Wet Tropics region contains numerous relatively undisturbed and
unmodified aquatic ecosystems for which the introduction of exotic fish represent the
greatest disturbance they have been subject too. Secondly, Wet Tropics streams have
very high environmental values and many species of high conservation value. Finally,
the number of exotic species in the region is high. The region between Townsville and
Cairns has more exotic species than any other in Australia (Webb 2007). Additionally,
although not specifically discussed in this report, the Wet Tropics also has more native
fish species that have been translocated to waterways where they don’t belong, than any
other region in Australia. Burrows (2004) provides a comprehensive summary of the
status of translocated fish species in the Wet Tropics region.
Recent years have seen significant, even exponential, range extensions for some of the
exotic species of most concern. Guppies and mosquitofish have been recorded from
several new catchments and tilapia, the species of most concern, has invaded several
major catchments. Managing exotic fish requires up-to-date knowledge of their
distribution. Most new incidents of pest fish result from releases by members of the
public. Thus, preventing the spread of exotic fish species requires a well-informed
public. It is important for managers and the general public to realize the current
distribution of exotic fish. Webb (2007) summarized the distribution of exotic fishes in
north-east Queensland up to that point. This report provides a more-detailed catchment
by catchment description of the distribution of exotic species in the Wet Tropics region
and also updates their known distribution, which for several species, has greatly
increased since 2007. This report also describes not just locations where exotic fish
have been recorded, but where they have not been recorded (also of relevance to
managers) and provides a summary of the level of effort which has been expended in
searching in each catchment, any gaps in search effort, and priorities for further search
effort.
Methods and Data Acquisition
All fish survey effort for the Wet tropics region was compiled, from a wide range of
sources. This included obtaining the major fish survey datasets from relevant
researchers. Much of this data is unpublished. Database records were also obtained
from the Queensland and Australian Museums. Database records were also obtained
from the Queensland and Australian Museums. Unpublished records were obtained
from sources considered reliable by the author. These included various naturalists and
recreational fishers as well as information recorded in publications of the Australia New
Guinea Fishes Association (ANGFA) and their database (http://db.angfa.org.au/).
The most comprehensive surveys of freshwater fishes for the Wet Tropics are those of
Pusey and Kennard (and colleagues from Griffith University) and the series published by
John Russell and colleagues from QDPIF. Pusey and Kennard (1994) surveyed 93 sites
across all catchments between Cardwell and the Bloomfield River in the first and most
systematic survey of the Wet Tropics region, during the period 1992-1994. They have
1
subsequently surveyed 116 sites from the Mulgrave, Tully and Johnstone rivers
(unpublished data obtained for this report from Pusey from 1994-1997) and 26 sites in
2005-2006 from four tributaries of the Mulgrave as part of the Catchment to Reef CRC
program. The series by Russell et al. covered 78 sites in the Hull, Liverpool, Johnstone,
Russell-Mulgrave, Moresby, Barron, Daintree and Mossman catchments, over the period
1992-1998. That work is reported across six reports (Russell and Hales 1993, Russell et
al. 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000). In addition, the Queensland Department of Primary
Industries and Fisheries (QDPIF) has surveyed a further 64 sites across the Wet Tropics
(with data available in various reports). Recent work by ACTFR have surveyed 91 sites
covering the Cape Tribulation, Daintree, Barron, Mulgrave, Johnstone, Tully, Herbert,
and Burdekin (Paluma) catchments, mostly in the period 2006-2009.
Webb (2003) published a long list of sites (n=80) from which exotic species were known
to him from the Wet Tropics region and these are included in the analysis presented in
this report. This is the most comprehensive list of exotic fish species locations available
till this current report. Webb (2007) has summarized the distribution of exotic fishes
within coastal catchments of the Townsville to Daintree coastal catchments. Searches
were also made of the Queensland, Australian and Northern Territory museums
databases for additional records of exotic fishes from the region.
Apart from the data of Shipway (1947/1948) and Russell (1987) and Barlow et al. (1987),
all other data are from 1992-present. This reflects how little formal freshwater fish
survey occurred, or was at least formally recorded from the Wet Tropics region, prior to
1992.
The literature search and a search of unpublished data from researchers yielded records
for fish survey at a total of 796 freshwater sites within the Wet Tropics region. In
addition, museum records and others sources yielded an additional 69 records for exotic
fishes.
It must be remembered that we can only report on formally recorded or verifiable
records. There may be numerous unrecorded locations where exotic species are
present, especially in degraded streams near urban areas, and many observations that
have not been formally recorded. The vast majority of these surveys were undertaken
for the purposes of general fish survey, not specifically for exotics species. Only the
studies of Webb (2003, 2007), Webb et al. (1996) and various ACTFR surveys from
2006-2009 were for the express purpose of detecting exotic species. This difference in
survey purpose affects site selection and detection methods, and thus the probability of
detecting exotic species.
Distribution of Exotic Fish Species
Survey effort is reasonably well-distributed across the various Wet Tropics catchments
(see Table 1). Greatest effort has been in the central catchments (Daintree, Johnstone,
Russell-Mulgrave, Tully-Murray). Of the 77 sites surveyed in the Herbert catchment, 44
were in the upstream area around Herberton. The Herbert catchment was not included
in the studies of Pusey and Kennard (1994) or the series by Russell et al. and because it
is not known to have tilapia or many translocated native species, was not included in
recent ACTFR surveys. Thus, there has been less survey work in this catchment
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compared to other Wet Tropics rivers. However, given that tilapia have now been found
in the uppermost reaches of this catchment near Herberton (Hogan and Vallance 2004)
and gambusia in the upper (Burrows unpublished data) and lower catchments (Burrows
unpublished data), this catchment warrants more effort. The streams of the Moresby
catchment remain unsurveyed since the study of Russell et al. (1996) and the creeks
around Cardwell have barely been assessed at all.
Table 1. No. Sites Surveyed for Freshwater Fish in the Wet Tropics Region (listed by
basin from north to south)
Catchment/Basin
No. Sites Surveyed
No. sites with exotic species
Bloomfield/Cape Tribulation
Daintree/Mossman
Upper Barron
Lower Barron/Cairns urban
Johnstone
Russell-Mulgrave
Morseby
Liverpool
Tully-Murray
23
154
80
8
170
140
11
40
86
0
20
19
7
44
27
0
0
15
Herbert
Cardwell Creeks
Hinchinbrook Island
Total
77
5
8
764
14
0
0
144
Records for exotic species were found for 158 sites in the Wet Tropics region (Table 1).
A total of 9 exotic fish species have established in waters within the Wet Tropics region.
The only major rivers that, as far as is evident from formally recorded data, are free of
exotic species, are the Bloomfield River and Cape Tribulation streams, Saltwater Creek
and Mowbray River (near Mossman), Moresby River, Liverpool Creek, Hinchinbrook
Island and the creeks around Cardwell.
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Table 2 presents the number of sites each of the exotic fish species in the Wet Tropics
region have been found at in that region. Guppies have been found at the greatest
number of sites, more than twice as many sites as the next most commonly encountered
species. Given how widespread they are throughout many parts of Australia, gambusia
are perhaps surprisingly not as common as might be thought.
Table 2. List of Exotic Fish Species Recorded from the Wet Tropics region. Listed in
order of most widely distributed to least, based on the number of sites they have been
recorded from within the region.
Family
Poeciliidae
Cichlidae
Poeciliidae
Cichlidae
Poeciliidae
Poeciliidae
Cichlidae
Cichlidae
Cichlidae
Species
Poecilia reticulata
Oreochromis mossambicus
Xiphophorus maculatus
Tilapia mariae
Gambusia holbrooki
Xiphophorus helleri
Hemichromis bimaculatus
Amphilophus labiatus
Amphilophus citrinellum
Common Name
Guppy
Mozambique tilapia
Platy
Spotted tilapia
Gambusia
Swordtail
Jewel cichlid
Red devil
Midas cichlid
No. Sites
131
61
66
51
26
7
2
1
1
The maps presented in Figures 1a-1f graphically illustrate the number of fish surveys
and samples in each major catchment area and the frequency of occurrence of exotic
species, as well as areas from which exotic species have not been reported.
4
Figure 1. Maps Showing Frequency of Occurrence of Exotic Species Across the Wet
Tropics Catchments.
Figure 1a: Mossman-Daintree Catchment (incl.
Bloomfield).
Figure 1b: Barron Catchment (incl. Cairns urban).
Figure 1c: Russell-Mulgrave Catchment.
Figure 1d: Johnstone Catchment (incl. Moresby).
5
Figure 1e: Tully-Murray Catchment (incl. Cardwell
streams and Hinchinbrook Island)
Figure 1f: Herbert Catchment
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Species Summaries
This section summarises the distribution of the exotic fish species of the Wet Tropics
region. Other ecological information on the six most well-established species is covered
in Fact Sheets that have been prepared on these species and are available in the
Appendix to this report. These Fact Sheets are available on the ACTFR Pest Fish
website (www.actfr.jcu.edu.au) along with Fact Sheets for other exotic species found
elsewhere in north Queensland.
For the 9 species found in the Wet Tropics, these all occur in two families – the Cichlidae
and the Poeciliidae. The cichlids include tilapia, as well as other popular aquarium fish
such as oscars. The Poeciliidae are known as live-bearers (give birth to live young
rather than lay eggs) and include many smaller species that have been introduced
widely around the world. In the Wet Tropics, this includes gambusia, guppies, platys
and swordtails.
Mozambique Tilapia – Oreochromis mossambicus
This species is widely considered the most problematic exotic fish species in the region.
It was first found in the wild in Australia in 1977 and in the Wet Tropics in the Cairns area
in 1978. It is also known from several rivers around Brisbane and south-east
Queensland (such as the upper Burnett River) and the Carnarvon/Gascoyne region of
central, coastal Western Australia. In north Queensland, it is also abundant in the
Townsville area (present there since 1978) and has recently invaded the Burdekin
catchment (2004), the Endeavour River catchment, Cooktown (first report 2004,
confirmed as established 2007) and a single specimen was recently collected (Oct 2008)
in Eureka Creek, a tributary of the Walsh River (Mitchell River catchment). Within the
Wet Tropics region, it is commonly reported from a variety of locations. Its known range
is from coastal streams north of Cairns (eg, Hartleys Creek), the upper and lower Barron
catchments, Trinity Inlet streams, Russell-Mulgrave catchment and the lower North and
South Johnstone catchments.
The Mozambique tilapia is most infamously known from a golf course pond at the
Sheraton Mirage Resort at Port Douglas where it was introduced. After 18 months, the
golf course pond was cleaned out and 13 tonnes of Mozambique tilapia were removed.
The Queensland Museum also holds a record from the Resort at Port Douglas. There
have been no reports of tilapia from Port Douglas in recent years and surveys have not
detected the species there (Burrows and Perna unpublished data). Thus, apart from the
recent confirmation of a population near Cooktown, the most northerly contemporary
location of Mozambique tilapia appears to be creeks of the northern beaches of Cairns.
Two distinct strains of Mozambique tilapia are present in Queensland: a hybrid,
“Zanzibar Gold” strain (O. mossambicus x O. honorum – and possibly O. niloticus and O.
aureus) in the Cairns and Wet Tropics regions and a pure strain around Townsville and
south-east Queensland (Blühdorn et al. 1990).
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Spotted Tilapia (or Black Mangrove Cichlid) – Tilapia mariae
This species of tilapia is generally considered to be of lesser concern than the
Mozambique tilapia, though this may reflect the latter’s greater distribution. Recent
anecdotal evidence suggests that the spotted tilapia is overtaking the Mozambique
tilapia in the Barron catchment. The spotted tilapia is known from the upper and lower
Barron catchment, the Russell-Mulgrave and the lower North and South Johnstone
catchments.
This species was recently (Oct 2008) the subject of a rotenone (a fish poison) control
exercise in Eureka Creek a tributary of the Walsh River (Mitchell River catchment). The
success of this control effort is still being monitored (ACTFR and QDPIF unpub. data).
Gambusia (or mosquitofish) – Gambusia holbrooki
Gambusia are also commonly known as mosquitofish or plague minnows. They are
native to the eastern and south-eastern USA but have been introduced to many
countries, primarily for supposed control of mosquito populations. They were widely
distributed in Australia for that reason, though their efficacy in that regard is questionable
(Courtenay and Meffe 1989).
They are similar in appearance to guppies and have sexual dimorphism with females
growing to 8cm (max.) and males only to 4cm (max.). Females live longer (2yrs) than
males (1 yr) so may be more abundant in populations. They have high tolerance for a
range of water quality conditions and in tropical waters, may breed year round.
Gambusia feed upon aquatic invertebrates as well as eggs and fry of small fish and
amphibians. They are also known for their habit of ‘nipping’ the fins of larger fish and
their generally aggressive behaviour affecting the normal behaviour of other fish species.
They have been implicated in declines of various fish and frog species in Australia and
overseas. Given their wide distribution, research on their impacts in Australia is
generally limited however, as most focus has been on carp or tilapia.
Gambusia were first introduced into Australia in the 1920’s and into Cairns in 1929
(Lloyd et al. 1986). Gambusia were spread to many waterways, for mosquito control,
around the time of World War 2. Like guppies, gambusia are now more commonly used
as aquarium fish and are thus often found near urban areas after being discarded from
aquaria. Considering this history, it is perhaps surprising how few locations they have
been recorded from, though they have been recorded from a number of new Wet
Tropics locations more recently. They were only recently (2004) recorded from the
upper Burdekin River (Burrows unpublished data) and (2008) from Thursday Island
(Burrows and Perna 2009). In north Queensland, they are more common around the
Townsville area than the Wet Tropics (where guppies are more prevalent). They were
only recently (2006) recorded for the first time from the upper Herbert catchment and the
lower Herbert catchment (2008) (Burrows unpub. data).
Guppies – Poecilia reticulata
Guppies are sexually dimorphic with females being much larger than males. Females
are plain olive colour whereas males have a variety of bright colour patterns which are
8
used to attract mates. Mate selection in this species has been the subject of
considerable scientific study. Like gambusia, guppies tend to be commonly used as
aquarium fish and are thus often found near urban areas after being discarded from
aquaria.
Guppies are native to northern Brazil, Venezuela and other north-east states of South
America, as well as some southern Caribbean Islands. They have been introduced to
48 countries around the world, largely for control of mosquito populations, though their
efficacy in that regard is questionable.
Guppies feed upon aquatic invertebrates as well as eggs and fry of small fish. Like
gambusia, guppies are tolerant of a wide variety of water quality conditions and have
been implicated in the decline of a number of fish and invertebrates in other countries to
which it has been introduced.
They are more common in the Wet Tropics than other poeciliids. Surprisingly, although
they have been extremely well-studied for their mate selection behaviour, there have
been few studies on their ecological impact in introduced locations.
Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) and Swordtails (Xiphophorus helleri)
Two species are present, X. maculatus and X. helleri, with the former being more
common in the Wet Tropics. Both species are sexually dimorphic with females being
larger. Platys grow to 4-6cm and swordtails to 14-16cm. In male swordtails, the ventral
rays of the caudal fin are elongated to form a ‘sword’. Both species are omnivorous,
feeding on invertebrates and plant matter and both species breed almost year round in
tropical regions.
Both species are native to Mexico and central America. Platys have been introduced to
18 other countries and swordtails to 33 other countries. Both species are less tolerant of
poor and variable water quality than gambusia, guppies or tilapia, which probably
explains their lesser ‘success’ as invaders. Though both species are considered to be
pests, there is very little known about their ecological impact in nay of the countries to
which they have been introduced. This is probably due to greater focus on other, more
serious exotic fish pest such as gambusia and tilapia. Swordtails have been shown to
displace native fishes through their habit of ‘fin-nipping’ and have been suggested to
impact upon amphibians via tadpole predation.
Other Cichlids
The midas cichlid has been confirmed (2007) as present in Alice River, a stream
draining Eubenangee Swamp, north of Innisfail (unpublished data). The Queensland
Museum has a record of Jewel cichlids (Hemichromis bimaculatus) from ponds at Cairns
Civic Theatre in 1985 and they are still present there today (Webb pers. comm.). The
Queensland Museum has a record of red devils from a resort pond at Port Douglas in
2001, though their current status is unknown.
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Geographic Summaries
This section describes the occurrences of exotic fish species in each of the major
catchments/basin areas of the wet Tropics.
Bloomfield/Cape Tribulation Streams
No exotic species are known from these streams (Figure 2). The Bloomfield River (12
sites) and several Cape Tribulation streams (10 sites from 7 coastal creeks) were
surveyed by Pusey and Kennard (1994). These streams are also popular with
naturalists and fish enthusiasts and thus subject to considerable unofficial survey effort,
with no records of exotic species being known from those sources either. Limited
development and human visitation compared to other Wet Tropics catchments has
probably prevented the introduction of exotic species to these catchments. However,
development and resident populations in these areas have increased in recent years as
has the risk of introduction to these high value streams, especially of smaller aquarium
fish such as the poeciliids.
Daintree River
This river has been surveyed by Pusey and Kennard (1994 -17 sites), Russell et al.
(1998 – 43 sites); Kroon (unpub data 2004/2005 – 8 sites), DPIF (2007, 7 sites surveyed
annually from 2000-2005) and Perna and Burrows (unpub data. 2007-2009 – 4 sites). It
is also a popular river for investigation by naturalists and fish enthusiasts.
Two exotic fish species are known from this catchment though their known distribution is
limited (Figure 2). Gambusia were reported from a creek draining into the Daintree River
in 2009 (ACTFR unpub. data), this being the only record of this species from this
catchment. Guppies have been recorded from Douglas Creek (Russell et al. 1998), a
major tributary of the Daintree River. They have also been recorded from two sites in
the main Daintree River channel well, upstream of the Douglas Creek confluence, in the
DPIF long-term monitoring program (Hagedoorn and Smallwood 2007). Given that none
of the surveys of the main Daintree River channel in the 1990’s found any guppies, their
occurrence there are probably the result of more recent spread from Douglas Creek.
Further surveys to determine the current distribution of guppies in this catchment are
warranted.
Kroon (2004) listed Mozambique tilapia as being present in this catchment, but this
record is considered to be erroneous as it is not mentioned in the supporting documents
used to compile the species list for the Daintree catchment in Kroon (2004). Also, there
are no specimens or confirmed records of tilapia from that catchment. Russell et al.
(1998) report that there have been anecdotal reports of tilapia from this catchment but
none have been verified.
10
Figure 2. Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Mossman, Daintree
and Bloomfield Catchments.
Mossman River
The only exotic fish species currently known from this area is the guppy, which has been
recorded in several sites in the Mossman River, as well as tributaries such as Carsons
Creek (Kroon unpub. data 2004/2005), an unnamed tributary crossing Santa Catarina
Road (Russell et al. 1998) and Cassowary Creek (Pusey and Kennard 1994).
Mozambique tilapia were found in a golf course pond at the Sheraton Mirage resort in
the late 1980’s. This is one of the famous eradication activities where two fish stocked
by the greenkeeper turned into 13 tonnes of tilapias within 18 months and had to be
removed from the ponds with a front-end loader. This is one of the iconic tales of tilapia
in north Queensland, which is widely quoted in the media. It is perhaps surprising that
there have been no surveys to follow this up and demonstrate whether tilapia had
spread to other nearby creeks or estuarine areas prior to their removal from this resort.
The Queensland Museum also has a record of the Mozambique tilapia from a resort at
nearby Wonga Beach in 1989. There have been no recent reports of tilapia from the
Port Douglas area and it is considered (fortuitously) that the species is not currently
known from the area.
11
Kroon (2004) recorded mozambique tilapia as being recorded from this catchment, but
this is probably due to the above records. Because of the efforts to remove tilapia from
the ornamental sites where it was located, it is assumed that tilapia are no longer
present in this catchment. It is recommended that further surveys be undertaken of the
streams within this catchment to confirm this assumption.
The red devil cichlid, Amphilophus labiatus has also been recorded from ponds at the
Rydges Reef Resort in 2001 (Qld Museum data) but their current status there is
unknown. Burrows and Perna (2009) found gambusia at a small creek at Wonga Beach.
No exotic fish species have yet been recorded from Saltwater Creek or the Mowbray
River systems. Saltwater Creek was surveyed by Kroon (2004, 2005 unpub. data) but
the Mowbray River remains unsurveyed. The proximity of the Mowbray River to Port
Douglas suggests some chance that exotic species have been introduced there, and this
should be investigated.
Barron River (above Barron Falls)
The Barron River has the most modified fish fauna of any river in the Wet Tropics region
and probably in all of Australia (Burrows 2004). Three exotic species (Mozambique
tilapia, spotted tilapia and guppies) are known from the catchment (Figure 3). In addition
to exotic fish species, Burrows (2004) tallied 36 native fish species as having been
translocated into various parts of this catchment, nearly all above the Barron Falls. This
would probably qualify the Barron River (above Barron Falls) as having the most highly
modified fish fauna of any river in Australia.
Mozambique tilapia were first reported from this catchment in aquaculture ponds
adjacent to Leslie Creek (a tributary of Tinaroo Dam) in 1986, having apparently entered
these ponds from a neighbouring property following heavy rain (Webb et al. 1996). It is
widely believe that this infestation began in a farm dam in the area. No official action
was taken and the fish apparently disappeared from these ponds but were again
detected in them in early 1995. Fisheries staff were alerted and a field inspection
located mozambique tilapia in Kenney Creek and in two large dams and feeder streams
which flow into Leslie and Kenney Creeks (Webb et al. 1996). Several planning
meetings ensued throughout 1996 and from October-December 1996, Webb et al.
(1996) surveyed 50 sites in that area, looking for mozambique tilapia. They found them
widespread in a number of creeks (Leslie, Kenney, Gwynne), farm dams, aquaculture
and ornamental ponds and drainage channels, as well as the Barron River down to
about 2km upstream of Tinaroo Dam (but not in the dam itself). The distribution of
mozambique tilapia within the area (in upstream reaches of different creeks) led Webb et
al. (1996) to suggest that more than one introduction may have occurred.
During these surveys, Webb et al. (1996) also found the first spotted tilapia from this
catchment (in a farm dam in the upper part of the Leslie-Kenney Creek system) and the
first guppies recorded from above Tinaroo Dam (guppies had previously been recorded
in the upper Barron catchment from an irrigation channel below Tinaroo Dam) also in a
farm dam adjacent to those containing tilapia.
Mozambique tilapia were first recorded from Severin Creek (Tinaroo Dam) in 1997 and
were widely spread through the dam by 2000 (Barron Mitchell Tilapia Management
12
Group 2000). Tilapia are abundant enough in Tinaroo Dam to support a popular annual
tilapia fishing competition held as part of the ‘barra bash’. Recent catch data, such as
from routine DPIF post-stocking fisheries surveys and catch data from the annual barra
bash tilapia fishing competition, suggests that the spotted tilapia may have now
overtaken the Mozambique tilapia as the most abundant of the two tilapia species in
Tinaroo Dam.
A working group for the regional management of tilapia was formed in 2000,
representing various community, government and industry stakeholders groups. They
produced a tilapia management plan for the Barron and Mitchell catchments in 2001.
One of the key items in that plan was the installation of fish exclusions devices to keep
fish such as tilapia from transferring from the Barron catchment to the Mitchell catchment
via irrigation water which is transferred across the basin as part of the MareebaDimbulah Irrigation Area. Such fish exclusions had first been mooted in 1996 (Webb et
al. 1996) and they were established at the Tinaroo Dam off-take by 2005. A summary of
community efforts to combat tilapia can be found in the Catchment Management Plans
for the Barron (1997) and Mitchell River catchments (2000) and the Regional
Management Plan for Tilapia (Barron and Mitchell Catchments) produced in 2000 by the
Barron/Mitchell Tilapia Management Group.
Guppies have been recorded from Emerald Creek (Russell et al. 1998, Webb 2003) as
well as Maude, Mazlin and Gwynne Creeks (Russell et al. 1998) and Walkamin
Research Station (Webb 2003). Hansen (2000) reports guppies and swordtails from
Jumrum Creek, Kuranda. Russell et al. (1998) noted that guppies were usually only
found at disturbed sites where there was reduced numbers of native species, especially
predators. Briggs (2007) report gambusia in Leslie Creek, the only record for this
species in the upper Barron catchment.
Pusey and Kennard (1994), Russell et al. (1998) or Burrows and Perna (2008) did not
locate any exotic species from Flaggy Creek or Clohesy-Davies Creek, two important
sub-catchments of the upper Barron River, although Briggs (2007) does report guppies
from lower Davies Creek.
Burrows (2004) also reports a sighting of an undetermined exotic species from Lake
Eacham, a waterbody that has been the recipient of many introduced fish species.
Pusey and Kennard (1994) surveyed the upper Barron River before the arrival of tilapia
and Russell et al. (1998) surveyed the Barron River only a few years after its arrival,
finding the Mozambique tilapia at four sites only (of the more than 40 surveyed) and the
black mangrove cichlid not at all (though they had only just arrived in the upper Barron
catchment at that time). Both tilapia species are now well-established in Tinaroo Dam
and mozambique tilapia are now found in the Barron River below Tinaroo Dam though
recent surveys by QDNRW of the Barron River between Mareeba and Kuranda (as part
of the Water Resource Plan monitoring) did not locate any (R. Hunt pers. comm.). The
spotted tilapia may also be established below Tinaroo Dam but there are no official
records to support this.
13
Figure 3. Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Barron Catchment,
including Cairns urban streams.
Barron River (below Barron Falls, including Cairns urban streams)
The creeks around Cairns, and the Barron River and its major lowland tributary –
Freshwater Creek – are relatively heavily impacted streams and surrounded by a large
human population, increasing the risk of exotic species introduction. Seven of the nine
exotic fish species known from the Wet Tropics region are known from streams in the
Cairns urban area (Figure 3).
Spotted tilapia have been recorded from both the Barron River and Freshwater Creek
(Russell et al. 1998, Webb 2003) as well as a variety of smaller streams in the area
(unpub. data). Pusey and Kennard (1994) record the Mozambique tilapia from
Freshwater Creek but this is likely a misidentification of the spotted tilapia (B. Pusey
pers. comm.) as both species were relatively new and unfamiliar at that time. Russell et
al. (1998) found the spotted tilapia to be abundant at all Freshwater Creek sites they
sampled downstream of Crystal Cascades. Surprisingly, apart from the erroneous report
of Pusey and Kennard (1994), there are no formal records of Mozambique tilapia from
Freshwater Creek, and Russell et al. (1998) did not locate any there, even though they
are present in nearly all streams in the Cairns urban area and have been recorded from
Lake Morris, upper Freshwater Creek catchment, (Qld Museum data), the drinking water
supply for Cairns. Mozambique tilapia are also known from Palm Cove (Qld Museum
14
data), Deep Creek (J. Russell unpub. data) and most other creeks in the northern beach
suburbs of Cairns (Webb 2003) and Trinity Inlet streams (see below). Thus, the
Mozambique tilapia are common in urban streams of Cairns and streams to the north
and south, but not in Freshwater Creek.
Swordtails have been recorded from Delaney’s Creek, Clifton Beach, guppies from Deep
Creek and Half Moon Creek, gambusia from Avondale Creek, Smithfield (Webb 2003),
black mangrove cichlids and jewel cichlids (Hemichromis bimaculatus) from ponds at
Cairns Civic Theatre (Webb 2003, Qld Museum data) and guppies and swordtails from
Forest Gardens, south Cairns (Webb 2003). Russell et al. (1998) found a single
gambusia at one site (tributary of the lower Barron River near Kamerunga) in 1999 and
also found guppies and swordtails in tributaries of Freshwater Creek, but not the main
creek channel itself. Several exotic fish species have been recorded from Cairns
Centenary Lakes such as, gambusia, swordtails and Mozambique tilapia (Webb 2003).
Guppies are the most commonly recorded exotic species in streams around the Cairns
urban area (Russell et al. 1998, Webb 2003).
Trinity Inlet
These streams are normally overlooked in freshwater fish surveys as the creeks are
small and their habitat condition is poor. Because of this and their proximity to the urban
areas of Cairns, it is expected that several exotic species would be present. So far,
guppies are known from Blackfellow Creek (Webb 2003), Chinaman and Collinsons
Creeks and Woree (Qld Museum data) and guppies and Mozambique tilapia from Wright
Creek (Webb 2003) (Figure 4). These creeks warrant further survey as additional
occurrences of exotic species are likely.
Russell-Mulgrave River
Pusey and Kennard (1994) surveyed 48 sites in the Mulgrave River catchment, finding
guppies at 8 sites in tributaries, including Little Mulgrave River and Behana Creek. They
also found the swordtail X. maculatus at one tributary site. They also surveyed at 11
sites in the Russell River catchment, not finding any exotic species.
Pusey et al. (2007) surveyed 26 sites in Behana, Little Mulgrave, Babinda and Woopen
Creeks. They found guppies to be present at six sites across all four creeks, as well as
the spotted tilapia at three sites in Behana Creek and swordtails at two sites in Babinda
Creek. Schaffer and Burrows (2006 unpub. data) found them at the Bruce Highway
crossing of Behana Creek and further downstream at the next road crossing.
Pusey et al. (2007) surveyed several sites in Behana and Babinda Creeks in 2006.
They found that sites with highly degraded riparian areas had more exotic fishes than
sites with better riparian condition. However, although this effect was statistically
significant, even in the poor condition sites, exotic fishes did not dominate the fish
community, probably due to the cold water and high flow conditions, which most exotic
species present in the region do not prefer.
Russell and Hales (1993) surveyed 47 sites in the catchment. They found guppies at
two sites and swordtails at three tributary sites (Babinda, Nirringa and Rusty Creeks).
15
Rayner (2008) studied 6 sites along the lower Mulgrave River, finding both species of
tilapia, with the spotted tilapia most abundant (found at 5 sites), as well as finding
swordtails at his most downstream site. Interestingly, they did not find any tilapia at his
most upstream site despite repeated sampling trips there.
Figure 4. Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Russell-Mulgrave
Catchment, including Trinity Inlet.
Lake Barrine is part of the Mulgrave River catchment. The presence of spotted tilapia in
this lake were first reported to the report author in April 2007 and confirmed by DPIF
shortly after. This population is established and breeding. Studies by DPIF on how to
reduce the population are ongoing. Lake Barrine drains through Toohey Creek into the
upper Mulgrave River. Although these tilapia re not known from Toohey Creek, they are
known from the upper Mulgrave River so there escape from Lake Barrine would not
greatly add to their known distribution.
In 2007, a fish strongly resembling the midas cichlid, was observed in the Alice River (C.
McPherson pers. comm.), a stream draining Eubenangee Swamp, north of Innisfail. The
Australian Museum holds a record from 1980 of platy’s in Harvey Creek overflow.
The majority of fish survey in this catchment has been in the Mulgrave catchment, rather
than the Russell catchment. Surprisingly, there are no official records of either tilapia
species from the Russell River catchment (Figure 4), though they are certainly present
there. Their distribution in that catchment warrants further survey as does their
16
distribution in upper reaches of tributaries of the Mulgrave catchment.
tributaries such as Harvey Creek, also warrant further survey.
High value
Moresby River
Russell et al. (1996) surveyed 11 freshwater sites in the Moresby River catchment,
finding no exotic species. No further surveys are known from this catchment, though
they are clearly warranted. The lack of exotic species from this catchment (Figure 5)
probably reflects the smaller catchment size, limited freshwater stream length and its low
population base.
Figure 5. Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Johnstone
Catchment including Liverpool and Maria Creeks.
Johnstone River
Four exotic species have been found in this catchment but not Mozambique tilapia
(Figure 5). Russell and Hales (1993) surveyed 77 sites and found guppies at 7 sites
(Wadda, Bora, Berner, Cleminson, Meuanbah and Mena creeks as well as the North
Johnstone River. They also found platy’s at 6 sites (Victory, Tregothanaan, Mena and
Nind’s creeks). They only found the spotted tilapia at one site on the South Johnstone
17
River. They did not find any gambusia in this catchment. Pusey and Kennard unpub.
data) surveyed 55 sites in the Johnstone catchment from 1994-1997. They found
guppies at 13 sites (on Dirran Creek, Mena Creek, Fishers Creek, Pine Forest Creek,
South Johnstone River) and platy’s at 9 sites (in Wharrapa Creek, Fishers Creek, Mena
Creek, Polly Creek and Cassowary Creek). Like Russell and Hales (1993), they did not
record any tilapia or gambusia, though at least tilapia are known from this catchment.
The Australian Museum holds records of gambusia from Utchee Creek and guppies from
Utchee and Mena Creeks, all collected in 2001, as well as a 1997 record of platy’s from
Ninds Creek. Briggs (2007) reports finding guppies and platy’s in Utchee Creek. The
ANGFA database contains a record of platy’s from Etty Bay Creek.
Burrows and Perna (2006) surveyed 19 sites in the North and South Johnstone rivers on
the tablelands. They found guppies at three sites (Wells Creek, Malanda Creek and an
unnamed tributary crossing Glenn Allyn Road) and gambusia at Gardener Creek and
Malanda Creek (same site as had guppies). These are the only known official records of
gambusia in this catchment. Schaffer and Burrows (2007) found guppies at Berner and
Wadda Creeks and swordtails at Malanda Creek. They also found spotted tilapia at
Shew Creek (South Johnstone River) and Fitzgerald Creek (North Johnstone River).
The DPIF long-term monitoring program (Hagedoorn and Smallwood 2007) surveyed
five sites in the North Johnstone River and two sites in the South Johnstone River
annually from 2000-2005. They found guppies at 5 sites (including a site on the upper
tablelands), gambusia at two sites, spotted tilapia at six sites (but all the lowland sites)
and swordtails at one site. One site (site 2) had four exotic species present (swordtails,
guppies, gambusia and spotted tilapia) and site 3 had the last three of these species
present.
Liverpool Creek/Maria Creek
Russell et al. (1997) surveyed 40 sites in the Liverpool and Maria Creeks, without finding
any exotic fish species (Figure 5). No other surveys have been conducted in these
streams and no records of any exotic fish species could be found for these streams.
Tully-Murray River and Hull River
Only two exotic species have been recorded from this catchment (Figure 6). There are
no official records of tilapia from the Tully-Murray catchment although there are
occasional anecdotal reports. Veitch et al. (2006) investigated one of these, including
undertaking survey of 12 sites in a section of the Tully River between the Jarra and
Banyan Creek junctions in 2006, without finding any tilapia. However, they did find
guppies at Banyan Creek and platy’s in the Tully River and lower Jarra Creek.
Burrows et al. (2006) surveyed upper Jarra Creek (within the military training area),
which contains what is probably the largest intact lowland river system in the Wet
Tropics region and did not find any exotic species. Platy’s are known from the lower
Jarra Creek (Veitch et al. 2006), where it has been heavily modified by surrounding
agriculture.
18
Hogan and Graham (1994) surveyed 16 lagoons and riverine sites in this catchment,
only finding platy’s at two sites (though which sites was not identified in that report and
their locations have been approximated in Figure 6). The ANGFA database contains a
record of platy’s at a creek near the rubbish tip (location not specified but assumed to be
near Tully in Figure 6). Pusey and Kennard (1994) surveyed 25 sites and Pusey and
Kennard (unpub. data) 11 sites, in the Tully-Murray catchment. The only exotic species
they found were guppies at two sites (Murray River and Woodfield Creek, both near the
confluence with the North Murray River).
There are no records of exotic species from the Tully River above Tully Falls, despite
survey there by Pusey and Kennard (3 sites) and several surveys of Koombooloomba
Dam by QDPIF (unpublished data).
Only 5 sites have ever been surveyed in the Hull River catchment, these being by
Russell et al. (1997). No exotic species were found, which may not be surprising, given
the very low human population here and the relatively short stream length in this
catchment, most of which is difficult to access.
Thus, overall, there are relatively few records of exotic fish species from the Tully-Murray
catchment.
Figure 6. Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Tully-Murray
Catchment including the streams around Cardwell and Hinchinbrook Island.
19
Cardwell Area Streams
No exotic species are recorded from these streams (Figure 6). Pusey and Kennard
(1994) surveyed at 5 sites in 5 creeks (Broken Pole, Porter, Five Mile, Bridge and
Waterfall creeks) without finding any exotic species. In 2003, Webb (2003) recorded
swordtails from Whitfield Creek, Kennedy. There has been no recent surveys of the
creeks in this area, though these are warranted as the distribution of exotic species is
probably more widespread than is currently recognised. Tilapia are not expected to be
present here but guppies or gambusia may be present.
Herbert River
Although exotic species have not been commonly reported from streams in the Herbert
catchment, four species are present (Figure 7). Mozambique tilapia were reported from
the Herberton town weir, high up in a tributary of the Wild River, in 2003. This location
has only one road access which has a locked gate and members of the public are not
allowed. A cohort of juvenile sooty grunter were also found here around the same
period, indicating that they too were also translocated to this location. Hogan and
Vallance (2004) removed 1,800 Mozambique tilapia in three days from the top two weirs.
A single Mozambique tilapia was also found further downstream. No surveys were
undertaken any further downstream as it was thought that they were not more widely
distributed. No further survey or removal work occurred here until 2005 (Burrows et al.
unpub data) surveyed the Wild River from just below the top two weirs to as far as its
junction with the Millstream on several occasions from 2005-2007 but found no
mozambique tilapia. Regular fishdowns of the top two weirs by QDPIF and ACTFR have
reduced the populations to low catch rates but recent surveys have indicated that the
populations have increased again. This location may be too cold for Mozambique tilapia
to proliferate. When dispersing downstream they would have to negotiate two large
drops over the weirs and cold water habitats further downstream and with the regular
fishdowns within the weir, the numbers of tilapia dispersing must be limited.
After the first detection of tilapia in the top weir, and the subsequent capture of 1,800
specimens shortly thereafter, it was thought that tilapia had a good chance of
establishing further downstream and this in effect would open the entire Herbert River
catchment to colonization by this species. However, this has not yet occurred. The
weirs where the tilapia occur are the drinking water supply for Herberton township so
cannot be drained or poisoned to rid of the tilapia. Fishdowns to reduce the resident
population, thus limiting the chance of establishing new populations downstream offer
the best solution to contain this problem from taking over the entire catchment.
Research should be undertaken to determine the population size and on improved
capture methods, as traditional methods are limited in the deep water of the weirs.
20
Figure 7. Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Herbert Catchment.
Hogan and Graham (1994) surveyed 11 lagoon and riverine sites on the Herbert
floodplain but did not find any exotic species. The Queensland Museum has records of
guppies from Ingham (incl. Palm Creek) from 1978 and Webb (2003) also recorded them
there. Webb (2003) also found gambusia at several Ingham urban sites and in Ripple
Creek at the Bruce Highway crossing. ACTFR (1999) surveyed 16 sites in creeks of the
Herbert floodplain, finding gambusia at three sites in Ripple Creek, but none in other
creeks such as Arnot, Cattle, Lannercost, Trebonne, Lagoon and Palm Creeks. Burrows
et al. (unpub. data) have recently found gambusia on Mungalla, a wetland grazing
property behind Forrest Beach that is part of lower Palm Creek (which runs through
Ingham).
Whilst surveying the Wild River for tilapia, ACTFR staff made the first records of
gambusia from the upper Herbert catchment. Leggett (2003) recorded guppies at
Flaggy Creek, a tributary of the upper Herbert River.
DPIF (2007) surveyed 7 sites in the Herbert River (2 in the upper catchment and 5 in the
lower) each over 5 years. They also found gambusia and guppies at one site near Rock
Creek in the upper catchment and gambusia at the Bruce Highway crossing of the lower
Herbert River. Malcolm and Graham (1998) surveyed for fish at 8 sites on Hinchinbrook
Island, finding no exotic fish species there (Figure 6). Given the isolation of this island,
this is not surprising.
21
Overall, there are three exotic species known from the Herbert catchment. The
Mozambique tilapia have been present in the upper reaches of the Wild River since at
least 2003 and are currently confined to the top two weirs on that system, in the
uppermost tributaries. It is imperative that they do not spread from those locations (or
are removed) as the amount of downstream stream length that would be invaded should
they escape is considerable.
The first official catchment records of gambusia for the lower catchment are from Webb
(2003) and for the upper catchment, from Burrows et al. (unpub. data). Guppies have
been known from the Ingham urban area since 1978 and from the upper catchment
(Flaggy Creek, near Princess Hills) only since 2003.
Discussion
This report provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the distribution
of exotic fishes in the Wet Tropics region. This analysis was built up by compiling an
extensive database of published and unpublished records from the region. Nine exotic
species have been found at 144 of 764 (~19%) of sites surveyed in the region. Exotic
species tend to be found closer to urban areas, which are more likely to have been
subject to survey effort, and may therefore be disproportionately represented in fish
surveys based on site occurrences. Additionally, some surveys included in the analysis
were specifically searching for exotic, by including sites where exotics were more likely
to be present, thus overestimating their occurrence. Nonetheless, it is clear that exotic
species are reasonably widely distributed in the Wet Tropics region (Figure 8).
Quantitative comparisons with other regions in Australia are not available but the Wet
Tropics is likely to have among the most frequent occurrences of exotic fishes in
Australia.
The poeciliid guppy, Poecilia reticulata, was the most commonly encountered exotic
species, being recorded from most major catchments in the region, and twice as many
sites as the next most commonly found exotic species. Another poeciliid – the gambusia
(or mosquitofish) Gambusia holbrooki, has only been recorded from 25 sites. This is
surprisingly low, especially given that this species has been widely spread across many
parts of Australia for several decades. The Herbert catchment is the only catchment
within the Wet Tropics where gambusia are more commonly found than guppies. In
other north Queensland catchments, south of the Herbert, such as around Townsville,
gambusia are more widespread than guppies (Webb 2007).
22
Figure 8. Map showing the distribution of exotic fish species in the Wet Tropics region.
The two tilapia species present in the region capture the greatest public and media
attention. Spotted tilapia are known from the Barron, Cairns urban, Mulgrave and
Johnstone catchments. Mozambique tilapia are known from the Barron, Cairns urban,
Mulgrave, and upper Herbert catchments. Mozambique tilapia have also been
previously recorded from resort ponds around Port Douglas and Wonga Beach but are
no longer thought to be present there. Thus the most northerly contemporary location
23
for Mozambique tilapia are the beach areas north of Cairns, probably around Hartleys
Creek.
The distribution of both tilapia species within the region appears to be relatively even.
However, spotted tilapia are only known from a single site outside of the Wet Tropics
region (this being a cooling pond for a power station in Victoria – Cadwallader et al.
1980) whereas the Mozambique tilapia are well established in the Townsville and
Burdekin regions plus in the Endeavour River, Cooktown and in catchments in SE
Queensland and Western Australia.
Generally speaking, the colder and faster flowing waters of most Wet Tropics streams do
not favour the exotic species that have been introduced. Both tilapia species and the
various poeciliids do best in slower-flowing and warmer waters. In the Wet Tropics,
these conditions can be created in disturbed habitats which allow for dense waterside
grasses such as paragrass to establish (providing slow water habitat) and the loss of
riparian cover allows greater thermal heating of streams, further favouring exotic
species. Retention/replanting of riparian vegetation is one of the few management
measures available for exotic fish populations that are already established within Wet
Tropics streams.
Although exotic species are common in the region, it is clear that the amount of stream
habitat without exotic species is much greater than that which contains exotic species.
Thus there is still much to lose by the further spread of exotic species and measures to
prevent spread, such as community education programs remain just as important and
valid in these streams as they are in streams that contain no exotic species at all. This
report is the first to provide a comprehensive documentation of the existing distribution of
exotic fishes such that the streams with and without various exotic species are identified
and can be protected from further invasions.
24
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27