Australia may be the smallest continent in the world, but it is home to a wide variety of animals. You can find some animals to see in Australia. Some animals are even endangered, just like being elaborated in endangered animals in Australia.
Freshwater fish in Australia consists of 300 native species and is the smallest for any continent of a similar size. Compared to USA, for example, there are almost 1000 species of freshwater fishes.
The small number of freshwater fishes in Australia is mainly because Australia is considered as the driest continent and not many fishes can live in many of the desert areas. Instead, they can be found in tropical or subtropical regions.
Let’s get to know each of these 7 freshwater fishes in Australia you might not be familiar with.
- Australian Bass
The first native freshwater fish in Australia is the Australian bass. This species of fish is often found far upstream in freshwater. The Australian bass is distributed through the coastal rivers and streams along the Eastern seaboard from Tin Can Bay in Queensland, south through New South Wales and into eastern Victoria.
Regarding to its diet, the Australian bass has a variety diet, including insects from the surface of the water and other organisms inside the water. It also consumes the aquatic insects, shrimps and other freshwater crustacea, tadpoles and small fish.
- Jungle Perch
The next freshwater fish in Australia is jungle perch. This fish species is commonly found in fast flowing streams with overhanging vegetation which provides shade.
Jungle perch is an omnivorous fish, though it primarily feeds on other fish. It feeds on diverse food, including crustaceans and figs.
- Australian Smelt
Australian smelt is another native freshwater fish species in Australia. It is about 75 mm, rarely to 100 mm in length. This fish species is widely distributed throughout the south-east of the Australian continent.
It commonly occurs in coastal drainages down the eastern seaboard from the Fitzroy River in Queensland to the south-east corner of South Australia.
Regarding to its diet, the Australian smelt feeds on various planktonic organisms, micro crustaceans and small aquatic insects.
- Butler’s Grunter
This fish is named after the famous Australian naturalist, Harry Buttler AO CBE. It is commonly found in deep rocky pools and uses various habitats, from sluggish, turbid lagoons to clear headwaters.
It is widely distributed in north-western Australia from the Drysdale and Ord River systems in Western Australia to the South Alligator River in the Northern Territory.
Butler’s grunter is a herbivorous fish which mainly feeds on filamentous algae. Its jaws are modified for it and a long, highly coiled intestine is adapted to digest the food.
- Mangrove Jack
Also called as Jack or snapper, mangrove jack is another freshwater fish species can be found in Australia. It is up to 1 meter long and weighs up to 12 kg though it is usually much smaller.
You can find mangrove jack in coastal swamp areas and lower river reaches. This species is widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region as well as the Red Sea.
In Australia, it is distributed in all northern coastal river systems from the northern New South Wales, through Queensland, the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Northern Territory into Western Australia.
Regarding to its diet, mangrove jack feeds on other fish, making it to become carnivorous.
Mangrove jack is also known to make a very attractive and easy to keep in an aquarium. However, it could be aggressive, so it should be kept alone.
Do you plan to have an aquarium and wish to have some freshwater fish? Then, consider buying these freshwater fish that are perfect for your fish tank.
- Southern Pygmy Perch
The Southern pygmy perch is widely distributed throughout Victoria, south eastern South Australia, southern areas of the Murray-Darling basin in New South Wales. It is often found in small systems of water with low flow rate and quiet vegetated areas.
The Southern pygmy perch is a carnivorous fish as it mainly consumes small crustaceans, such as amphipods, ostracods and copepods. It also feeds on insects, such as mayflies and other terrestrial insects.
- Yabby
Yabby is a name of freshwater crayfish species found in Australia. Its length can reach up to 160 mm in total. This crayfish species is capable of living in any body of fresh water, including rivers, lakes, dams and some temporary waters.
Yabbies love burrowing and are very hardy, therefore, they can withstand poor water quality and long periods of drought.
Freshwater fish is distributed around the world. You can also find some interesting facts about freshwater fish, such as the largest freshwater fish in the world and most expensive freshwater fishes. Some of them might be new for you.