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Endangered mudfish discovered

Posted on December 21, 2009, 3:03pm and updated on December 22, 2009 at 8:35 am

Mudfish
The Department for Environment and Heritage recently discovered a critically endangered species of Australian mudfish at Beachport’s Sutherland Drain — a significant find, according to DEH wetland ecologist Scott Slater, who said the closest known mudfish population was at Cape Otway, Victoria.

Throughout the past decade the department and Aquasave consultants had searched the Lower South East for Australian mudfish (pictured), but failed to recover any specimens.

“This all changed in the spring of 2008 when a single whitebait and adult were found in Sutherland Drain near Lake George,” Mr Slater said.

“Even more pleasing is that an additional fish was captured by the department during a repeat survey of the Sutherland Drain this spring.

“This is an important find as it demonstrates that mudfish have been able to survive recent drought conditions.”

Mr Slater said the population status of the species took another interesting turn this month, when wetland ecologist Ben Taylor found an adult fish near Robe.

“This find has raised hopes that the South Australian distribution of mudfish is more widespread than first thought,” he said.

“Very little is known about the Australian mudfish, but we do know they favour swamp and drain habitat where there is access to the ocean.

“The mudfish is an intriguing species as they become dormant in summer and are able to tolerate short periods without water by burrowing into the mud or sheltering under rocks and logs.

“Ensuring the survival of the Australian mudfish is an important focus for DEH, and we hope to carry out a study into the population next year.”

The community will be involved in collecting information on population numbers, movements and habitat while the department will refer to the South Australian Native Fish Action Plan, providing information on the management and recovery of threatened fish, to help conserve the species.

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