Threatened native freshwater fishes in Australia–some case histories

Abstract

Case histories of some of Australia's most threatened native freshwater fishes are presented. These include: six endangered species, Galaxias fontanus, G. johnsroni, G. pedderensis (Galaxiidae), Melanataenia euchamensis (Melanotaeniidae), Maccullochella sp. nov. and M. macquariensis (Percichthyidae): one vulnerable species, Galaxias tanycephalus: two potentially threatened species. Galaxias parvus and Prototroctes maraena (Prototroctidae); one indeterminate species. Maccllochella sp.; one restricted species, Macquaria australasica (Percichthyidae). Aspects of their taxonomy, distribution and reasons for their decline are discussed. Conservation management strategies that have been or are being applied to most of these species include protection of the fish and their habitats, establishment of refuge populations, and artificial propagation and re‐establishment programmes.