A Preliminary Checklist of Native Fish Species

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.Gambusia affinis holbrooki-Mosquitoe Fish

3.Gobiomorphus australis-Striped Gudgeon

4.Hypseleotris compressa Empire Gudgeon

5.Hypseleotris galii-Firetail Gudgeon

6.Rhadinocentrus ornatusOrnate Rainbowfish

7.Maccullochella ikei-Clarence River Cod

8.Macquaria novemaculeata-Australian Bass

9.Melanotaenia duboulayi-Crimson Spotted Rainbow Fish

*10.Megalops cypirinoides-Ox_eye Herring

11.Myxus petardi-Freshwater Pinkeye Mullet

12 Notesthes robusta-Bullrout or Kroki

13 Pomatolosa richmondia-Freshwater or Nepean Herring

14.Retropinna semoni-Austrailian Smelt

15.Tandanus tandanus-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- Long-Finned Eel

2. Gobiomorphus australis- Striped Gudgeon

3. Hypseleotris galii- Firetail Gudgeons

4. Macquaria novemaculeata - Australian Bass

5. Melanotaenia duboulayi- Crimson Spotted Rainbow fish

6. Myxus pethordi- Freshwater or Pinkeye Mullet

7. Pomatolosa richmondia- Freshwater or Nepean Herring

8. Retropinna semoni- Australian Smelt

9. Tandanus tandanus- 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_

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 on shallow areas are Giant Water Lilies and Dwarf Hair Grass.

LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED

1. Anguilla reinhardtii-Long-Finned Eel

2. Macquaria novemaculeata-Australian Bass

3. Maccullochella ikei-Clarence River Cod

4. Melanotaenia duboulayi-Crimson-Spotted Rainbow fish

5. Myxus petardi-Freshwater or Pinkeye Mullet

6. Notesthes robusta-Bullrout or Kroki

7. Pomatolosa richmondia-Freshwater Herring

8. Tandanus tandanus-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.Gambusia affinis-Mosquitoe Fish

2.Gobiomorphus australia-Striped Gudgeon

3.Hypseleotris galii-Firetail Gudgeon

4.Melanotaenia duboulayi-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

6.30-50 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 now used for vegetation production and

is currently being replanted by the owner (Mr T. Flanagan).

LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED

1. Anguilla reinhardtii-Long-Finned Eel

2. Gobiomorphus australis-Striped Gudgeon

3. Hypseleotris galii-Firetail Gudgeon

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-Long-Finned Eel

2. Gobiomorphus australis-Striped Gudgeon

3. Gambusila affinis-Mosquitoe Fish

4. Hypseleotris galii-Firetail Gudgeon

5. Macquaria novemaculeata-Australian Bass

6. Tandanus tandanus-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.

Mostly undisturbed natural bank with overhanging trees. Large volumes of flow. Variable visibility.

LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED

1.Anguilla reinhardtii-Long Finned Eel

2.Arius graeffei-Blue Catfish

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-Freshwater Herring

8.Tandanus tandanus-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.