Gudgeon Project

The Southern purple spotted gudgeon is a small fish that was considered extinct since the 1970's. This Murray-Darling fish used to be found all the way up into Northern Victoria, but as a result of interactions with non-native species (mainly Eastern gambusia and Redfin perch), and changes in water levels with river regulation, the species was wiped out. Or so we thought.

A slow-moving ambush predator, it feeds on small fish and aquatic macroinvertebrates, as well as worms and tadpoles. It is found in slow moving or still waters of creeks, rivers, wetlands and billabongs, and prefers slower flowing, deeper habitats.

Recently, a small number of gudgeons were rediscovered in the Cardross Lakes (an irrigation drainage basin system) near Mildura in Northern Victoria. So a number of organizations have combined forces to fight to save the fish in this system, which was drying up because of changes in irrigation practices.

Two days ago, captive-bred gudgeons were released into the Paiwalla wetland. Alberton Primary School students, who have been involved in the project by undertaking their own breeding program, were on-hand to assist with the release of the fish at Paiwalla wetland, located upstream of Murray Bridge.
The ultimate aim of the project is to recolonise areas in the river Murray channel and wetlands once water levels increase.

The Wetland Habitats Trust together with the SA MDBNRM Board will undertake continued monitoring of Paiwalla to maintain favourable conditions for the released fish.
This fish now has a real chance of long term survival as a result of this captive breeding program and the donation of 30 megalitres of water for the Paiwalla wetland.

The project has been a partnership involving the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board, Native Fish Australia, the Paiwalla Wetland Habitats Trust, the Department of Environment and Heritage, the Department for Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation and Healthy River Australia.
Healthy Rivers Australia wants to help secure water for at least the next five years for the Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon. If you would like to help by donating water of give a financial contribution, contact Healthy Rivers Australia on 08 8211 6017
or email them at info@healthyrivers.org.au