A small and endangered native fish, found only in the Goulburn Broken Catchment in Australia, is showing strong signs of recovery thanks to conservation efforts.
The Barred Galaxias is a distinct orange fish with vertical black bars along the length of its 7-15cm body.
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) River Health Project Officer, Sue Kosch, said the Barred Galaxias has struggled to survive due to non-native fish species that predate them and compete for food.
“The small freshwater Barred Galaxias has sadly suffered an extensive decline in both range and numbers,” Ms Kosch said.
“This has happened to the extent that this fish is now only found in small, isolated populations in short Goulburn River headwater tributaries near Mt Buller, Mt Stirling, Woods Point, Marysville and between Narbethong and Mount Disappointment.
The most serious threat faced by Barred Galaxias is predation by brown and rainbow trout. Populations of this threatened fish are quickly eliminated from waterways once trout invade.
Sue Kosch (Goulburn Broken CMA) with Kysan Notting (BIIK Cultural Land Management) with Barred Galaxias.
Barred Galaxias.
“So now, Barred Galaxias are only found in trout-free stretches of river where there are barriers to stop the upstream invasion of trout.”
In 2018, Goulburn Broken CMA was funded to install a concrete fish barrier on Perkins Creek near Woods Point to separate trout from the Barred Galaxias populations in a bid to ensure the survival of the species in the creek.
“Barriers can be naturally occurring, such as logs jams, or constructed such as the barrier on Perkins Creek,” Ms Kosch said.
“As long as the barriers prevent trout from moving upstream, populations of Barred Galaxias are persisting in these headwater streams.”
A survey undertaken in May by scientists from the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) found promising numbers.
The total numbers found at the seven sites surveyed were 181 Barred Galaxias and 72 trout.
At the Perkin’s Creek site there were 20 trout found downstream of the barrier and 24 Barred Galaxias found upstream and no trout, indicating the effectiveness of the constructed barrier.
“The ARI scientists were really pleased with the numbers of these native fish found in the May count,” Ms Kosch said.
“It shows that when these fish can be separated from the trout, they are able to survive.
“In addition to counting, measuring and weighing the fish, ARI also checked the condition of the barriers to ensure they are preventing trout from moving and establishing upstream. All barriers assessed were in good condition with trout detected in small numbers at only one site.”
Helping out with the survey work were Taungurung Land and Waters Council’s BIIK Cultural Land Management field staff who provided important local knowledge and hands on help.
“Protecting these fish is a result of team work. It’s great to work with ARI and BIIK to achieve this promising outcome,” Ms Kosch said.
Liam Hogan from Arthur Rylan Institute with Barred Galaxias. Photo ARI.
The Perkins Creek fish barrier near Woods Point.