What is a Freshwater Fish?
Fishes have a backbone, scales, are cold blooded and have gills. The majority of freshwater fishes found in Australia have migrated from marine environments many years ago.
Freshwater is critical to their survival, as all or some of their life cycle is in freshwater. Australia does not have many species of freshwater fish compared to other countries, Lake Malawi in Africa has more species than the whole of Australia.
Compared to the rest of Australia, the Kimberley is a biodiversity hotspot for freshwater fish with 52 species. There are more species of freshwater fish found in the Ord River than the entire Murray-Darling Basin! |
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Kimberley Toad Busters |
What is A Freshwater Fish?
Key characteristics to look for when identifying species:
Markings and colour
Size
Shape of body
Habitat
Fins, especially shape of caudal (tail) fin and colour
There are 16 freshwater fish found only in the Kimberley.
Fish in these cards are in alphabetical order for families. Please notify kimberleytoadbusters@canetoads.com.au if any mistakes are found.
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Kimberley Toad Busters |
Giant Glassfish
Parambassis gulliveri
Size: Maximum about 24 cm
Distinguishing features: Humped
forehead, relatively large mouth, small
scales and distinctive lined colouration. Yellowish anal and pelvic fins.
Habitat: Large rivers, waterholes usually in turbid water
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Diet: Small crustaceans and fishes
Distribution: Freshwater, relatively common across Northern Australia
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Macleay’s Glassfish
Ambassis macleayi
Size: Maximum about 9 cm
Distinguishing features: Semi-
transparent with dark scale edges,
relatively deep body, dark patch at pectoral fin base.
Habitat: Margins of streams and swamps, likes dense aquatic vegetation
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Diet: Micro-crustaceans, aquatic and terrestrial insects and algae
Distribution: Freshwater, Kimberley to Cape York
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Nyikina name
© David Morgan
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Kimberley Toad Busters |
Northwest Glassfish
Ambassis sp.
Size: Maximum size 5.5 cm
Distinguishing features: Semi-
transparent with dark scale edges.
Spinous dorsal fin taller than other species, 28% of standard length.
Habitat: Variety of flowing and still water from rivers, creeks, irrigation
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channels, swamps, billabongs and semi-stagnant ponds.
Diet: Micro-crustaceans, aquatic and terrestrial insects, algae
Distribution: Freshwater
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
Freshwater or Indian Short-finned Eel
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Fish 6 |
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Freshwater Eel
Anguilla bicolor
Size: Maximum about 60 cm
Distinguishing features: Snake-like body,
elongate and tubular head, jaws reach
well past eyes, scales are indistinct. Spawning site located off Sumatra, Indonesia. |
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Habitat: Rocky pools of freshwatercreeks, also in brackish estuaries and tidal flats, often buried in the mud bottom. Diet: Crustaceans, fish, frogs and small birds
Distribution: Only eel occurring in freshwaters of the Kimberley
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au
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Mouth Almighty
Glossamia aprion
Size: Maximum about 18 cm, commonly
to 12 cm.
Distinguishing features: Stout body, with
large cavernous mouth. Mottled in colour, dark brown to reddish brown blotches. Diagonal stripe through eye. |
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Habitat: Still or slightly flowing streams, well vegetated fringes.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, aquatic and terrestrial insects
Distribution: Freshwater in Kimberley, NT, QLD and NSW
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Bottle-nose Catfish
Arius graeffei
Size: Maximum about 60 cm
Distinguishing features: Forked tail.
Shape of palatal teeth, first row complete, second row
broken in centre. Blue/grey and white underneath.
Similar to silver cobbler, smaller mouth and different palatal teeth.
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Male raises young in mouth. Three spikes, very painful when stung!
Habitat: Freshwater rivers, lagoons and brackish estuaries
Diet: Omnivorous, includes small fish, plant material, prawns insects molluscs and detritus Distribution: Freshwater
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Silver cobbler, shovel-nosed catfish
Arius midgleyi
Size: Maximum about 140 cm
Distinguishing features: Whiskers. Broad
truncated snout when view from above.
Colour varies, silver grey to dark. Palatal teeth in two complete rows. Male incubates eggs and carries young in mouth.
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Habitat: Clear or turbid freshwater lakes, rivers, reservoirs and waterholes
Diet: Fish (esp. likes bony brim), prawns, crayfish, arthropods
Distribution: Freshwater from Kimberley to Cape York. Lake Argyle commercial fishery.
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Black Catfish, Butter Jew
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Fish 8 |
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Black catfish, Butter Jew,
Narrow-fronted Tandan.
Neosilurus ater.
Size: Maximum about 47 cm, common to 25 cm
Distinguishing features: Relatively
elongated snout, grey to blackish overall,
sometimes mottled with paler belly.
Habitat: Likes bottom of swift flowing
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sections of rivers and streams, also found in still water
Diet: Molluscs, insects crustaceans and worms
Distribution: Freshwater, relatively common across Nth Australia
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Hyrtl’s Tandan
Neosilurus hyrtlii
Size: Maximum about 34 cm, commonly
to 20 cm.
Distinguishing features: Evenly rounded
snout and relatively short barbels are characteristic. From dark brown to pale silvery/grey, with dark brown/yellowish fins.
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Habitat: Diverse range of habits including still or flowing water of streams, billabongs and pools.
Diet: Insects, molluscs, small crustaceans and worms
Distribution: Freshwater in WA, NT, QLD and NSW
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Nyikina name
© Mark Allen
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False-spined Catfish
Neosilurus pseudospinosus
Size: Maximum about 35 cm
Distinguishing features: Lacks a rigid
spine at the front of the dorsal and
pectoral fins and has shorter nasal barbels. Dark grey to black on the body, black fins, whitish underside.
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Habitat: Pools and flowing streams, swimming close to rocky or sandy substrates.
Diet: Omnivorous, terrestrial and aquatic insects, molluscs, detritus, algae Distribution: Freshwater, uncommon species between Kimberley and Daly River (NT)
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au
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Rendahl’s catfish
Porochilus rendahli
Size: Maximum about 24 cm
Distinguishing features: Concave head
and nape profile. Eyes are in close
proximity to snout. Mottled grey to pale yellowish brown, with a golden sheen. Habitat: Mud-bottoms, flowing creeks, |
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backwaters near aquatic vegetation.
Diet: Bottom feeder, aquatic insects, micro-crustaceans, molluscs and detritus
Distribution: Freshwater, patchy never common across Nth WA, NT and QLD
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au
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Toothless Catfish
Anodontiglanis dahli
Size: Maximum about 40cm
Distinguishing features: Different from
other eel-tailed catfish by the position of
the caudodorsal fin, in line with pelvic fins (further back in other species). |
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Habitat: Sandy bottoms around the cover of wood debris, in clear, flowing water of rivers and streams, also found in flooded lagoons.
Diet: Aquatic insect larvae, detritus, molluscs and prawns Distribution: Freshwater, not particularly common, scattered distribution from Kimberley to Cape York
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Searching for photo!
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Kimberley Toad Busters |
Drysdale Hardyhead
Craterocephalus helenae
Size: Maximum about 8 cm,
commonly to 5 - 6 cm
Distinguishing features: Dull, golden in
colour. Dusk along back. Sliver mid-lateral stripe and silver belly.
Habitat: Still or flowing streams over
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sandy channels and rocky pools.
Diet: Aquatic insects, small crustaceans and algae
Distribution: Freshwater. Drysdale River system only. Abundant near Kalumburu Road crossing.
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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© Mark Allen |
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Prince Reagent Hardyhead
Craterocephalus lentiginosus
Size: Maximum about 8 cm,
commonly to 5.5 cm
Distinguishing features: Golden-brown to
greenish overall, paler on sides with a golden and black mid-lateral strip from snout through eye to pectoral fin.
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Habitat: From still or flowing streams over sandy, muddy or rocky bottoms, even brackish isolated pools on tidal mud flats.
Diet: Likely aquatic insects, small crustaceans and algae
Distribution: Freshwater only in the Kimberley
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au
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Strawman, Blackmast
Craterocphalus stramineus
Size: Maximum about 6.5 cm,
commonly to 4 cm
Distinguishing features: First dorsal fin
taller (with black on anterior section) much higher than second fin. Body semi-transparent with yellowish hue. Black mid-lateral stripe.
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Habitat: Near surface of well-vegetated streams and lakes
Diet: Variety of invertebrates and algae
Distribution: Freshwater. Ord, Daly, Finnis, Katherine and Gregory rivers
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Freshwater longtom
Strongylura krefftii
Size: Maximum about 85 cm, commonly
to 30-40 cm
Distinguishing features: Long and slender, with distinctive elongated jaws of equal length, sharp spiky teeth.
Habitat: Still or flowing waters of large
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rivers, from tidal to far inland. Shelters in vegetation.
Diet: Small fish, insects, crustaceans
Distribution: Freshwater, widespread across northern Australia, not abundant
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Nyikina name
© David Morgan
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Kimberley Toad Busters |
Bull Shark
Carcharhinus leucas
Size: Maximum about 300 cm
Distinguishing features: Large
broad-headed shark, grey above and
white underneath. Young sharks have black tip dorsal and tail fin. Can travel up to 180 km in 24 hours. Takes 10-15 years before bull sharks reach sexual maturity.
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Habitat: Occurring in estuaries and major coastal rivers, can become stranded in large river pools
Diet: Carnivore, crabs, urchins, fish
Distribution: Marine/estuaries worldwide, not abundant
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au
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Northern River Shark
Glyphis sp.
Size: Maximum 150 cm
Distinguishing features: Small eye, large
dorsal and pectoral fins, well defined
sensory organs. Grey, no distinctive markings.
Habitat: Coastal turbid environments
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Diet: Carnivorous
Distribution: Marine/estuaries. Rare: Adelaide River (NT), Fitzroy River (WA) and Bizant River (QLD)
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au
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Barramundi
Lates calcarifer
Size: Maximum about 180 cm,
commonly to 120 cm
Distinguishing features: Distinct shape,
Silvery in colour. Juveniles, mottled brown with three white stripes on head.
Habitat: Young found in upper reaches
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of freshwater rivers, favouring undercut banks, debris. Adults in or near estuaries.
Diet: Carnivorous, eating only fish and crustaceans
Distribution: Marine and estuary species, common and widespread across northern Australia
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Bony bream
Nematalosa erebi
Size: Maximum 32 cm,
commonly to 15–20 cm.
Distinguishing features: Deep body, blunt
snout. Long filament on dorsal fin. Silver in colour.
Habitat: Variety, most common in shallows or slow flowing streams, likes
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turbid conditions.
Diet: Benthic algae, detritus and small invertebrates
Distribution: Freshwater Australia wide
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Kimberley Toad Busters |
Freshwater Whipray
Himantura chaophrya
Size: Maximum disc width 200 cm
Distinguishing features: Easily recognised
on the basis of shape, the only freshwater
stingray in Australia.
Habitat: Bottom dwellers, fresh and brackish water, lie motionless in shallow
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water, partially buried in the mud.
Diet: Unknown
Distribution: Marine/estuaries, unknown. Daly and Sth Alligator, Fitzroy, Ord and Pentecost Rivers. Travels inland, has been found in Geikie George.
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
© David Morgan
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Barnett River Gudgeon
Hypseleotris kimberleyensis
Size: Maximum about 6 cm
Distinguishing features: Small, slender,
compressed gudgeon. Tan/brown overall
with dusky brown irregular blotches on the sides.
Habitat: Streams and pools with
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moderate flow in clear water, with aquatic vegetation and large sandstone boulders.
Diet: Little known
Distribution: Freshwater, only found in upper Barnett River, Manning Creek and Calder River.
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
Searching for photo!
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Prince Regent Gudgeon
Hypseleotris regalis
Size: Maximum about 5 cm
Distinguishing features: Small, slender,
compressed gudgeon. Dark brown head;
dark edge to each scale. Fins speckled with whitish spots, clear towards ends.
Habitat: Rocky pools in slow flowing
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streams. Found near crevices, woody debris or plants.
Diet: Little known
Distribution: Freshwater, only found in Roe and Prince Regent Rivers
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
Searching for photo!
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Mitchell Gudgeon
Kimberleyeleotris hutchinsi
Size: Maximum about 4 cm
Distinguishing features: Small, slender,
compressed gudgeon. Pale orange brown,
with dark spots scattered on sides. First dorsal fin is blackish with blue to white edge and orange base, |
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second fin is orange with blue to white spots. Anal fin orange with white blue edge. Similar to Drysdale Gudgeon but does not have stripes/bars.
Habitat: Rocky streams and pools in still or flowing streams near boulders. Distribution: Freshwater, only found upstream of Mitchell Falls
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
Searching for photo!
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Drysdale Gudgeon
Kimberleyeleotris notata
Size: Maximum about 4 cm
Distinguishing features: Small, slender,
compressed gudgeon. Light brown to
purplish brown. Distinctive set of narrow vertical bars at front of body. Fins are clear to grey, base of dorsal fins are blackish.
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Habitat: Clear pools of slow flowing streams over sand or rock
Diet: Not known
Distribution: Rare. Only found short distance upstream of junction of Drysdale and Forest Creek in Drysdale National Park.
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
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Northern Trout Gudgeon
Mogurnda mogurnda
Size: Maximum about 12 cm
Distinguishing features: Dark brown to
purplish along back. White/cream belly
with tinge of blue/purple. Dark brown/red spots all over body and base of fins. Head has 3 bands radiating from eye across cheek and gills.
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Habitat: Quiet sections of rivers, creeks, billabongs. Often amongst vegetation or rocks.
Diet: Insects, larvae, worms, gastropods and sometimes algae
Distribution: Freshwater, widely distributed across Nth Australia
Ref: Murdoch University, 2002 “Fishes of Lake Kununurra”
Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
© David Morgan
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Kimberley Morgurnda, False-spotted Gudgeon
Morgurnda oligolepis
Size: Maximum size to at least 8 cm
Distinguishing features: Similar to
Northern Trout Gudgeon but has generally
less and larger brown/red spots. Cheek bands
also present. Protruding lower jaw.
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Habitat: Quiet sections of rivers, creeks, billabongs. Often amongst vegetation or rocks.
Diet: Insects, larvae, worms, gastropods and sometimes algae
Distribution: Freshwater, common, only within the Kimberley
Ref: Allen, Midgley and Allen, 2002, “Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia”
www.canetoads.com.au |
