Fish list project

[Adrienne]

Actually there are several of us concerned with the ChCh situation atm.

Those who really want to know what is going on and how much progress has been made would be better off joining up than constantly asking. I, for one, am getting a little tired of the pestering that is going on about whats happening. If you join, you will find out and perhaps even be able to contribute.

[reef]

actually i don't have time to contribute as i have/am already doing more than anyone on FNZAS has ever done.

If no fish are added be prepared for very limit fish imports in the future, as MAF are making it so difficult to import certain species.

Sure i agree wha'ts happened in CHCH has slowed things , however Pointless making excuses as the way it i s going in 12 months we would have moved no further.

Adding fish is long overdue.

[livingart]

actually i don't have time to contribute as i have/am already doing more than anyone on FNZAS has ever done.

i would expect so as it is in your business interests after all

[ryanjury]

Why not join and spread that knowledge and work around others, we may not be motivated to make $$s off it like you but there are alot of us wanting to see new species make it into the country and with your knowledge and people working together it may happen faster and with less work for you.

I think you would probably feel different about the lack of progress if your house/livelihood was destroyed or you had lost a family member it is a pretty insensitive thing to say.. I would hardly call it an excuse.

[reef]

i would expect so as it is in your business interests after all

what a load of rubbish mate. How can that be if most of the issues are with freshwater fish.

what a clown.

[livingart]

what a clown.

thank you for the endorsement :happy1:

your endearment has brought a moment of mirth to my day :lol:

[livingart]

This will help the fish project if it gets started.

1. Provide a summary of the proposed activity, including the intended use of the specimens (e.g. pet, commercial, scientific), the number of individuals to be imported and the way in which the specimens will be kept and transported.

Proposed Activity

Peacock gudgeons (Tateurndina ocellicauda) are to be added to the live import list to legitimise the use of the species within Australia as an ornamental aquarium fish. The peacock gudgeon has been in Australia since at least 1983, but does not appear on the 'List of Specimens Suitable for Live Import' under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) because its potential impact on the Australian environment has never been assessed. Peacock gudgeons have been used as an ornamental species within the aquarium hobby and aquarium trade in Australia ever since their introduction. The species is cultured and traded freely throughout Australia except in the Northern Territory.

Under Section 26 of the Northern Territory of Australia Fisheries Regulations (as in force 19 December 2001), the Northern Territory Government will not allow any fish to come into the Territory unless it appears on the allowable import list under the EPBC Act.

If the peacock gudgeon is added to the EPBC Act live import list the applicant will apply to the Northern Territory Government to use the species as an ornamental species to be cultured by the NT registered ornamental aquarium fish and aquatic plant aquaculture business "Aquagreen". Between 20 and 50 individual fish will be used as brood stock and up to one thousand individuals will be raised in a small grow-out pond for the sale of up to one hundred individuals per month.

2. Provide information on the taxonomy of the species.

Taxonomy of the species.

Tateurndina ocellicauda

Photograph taken in Melbourne 1983 by Neil Armstrong of Melbourne, Australia.

2.1 Description

Head compressed and obtuse, both jaws with single series of teeth. The head is scaly except on the snout. The cheek and operculum are scaly. The dorsal and anal fins reach to caudal base. Caudal fin bluntly pointed and slightly longer than head. Brownish colour dorsally paler beneath. A large conspicuous oval shaped orange edged black ocellus on tail base. Fins dusky, length 1.5 inches (40 mm) (Munro 1967). This description was based on preserved specimens without the benefit of live specimens. It does not mention the incredible oranges, blues, reds and yellows found on the body, head and fins (Caughey 1984).

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Osteichthes

Order: Perciformes

Family: Eleotrididae

Genus: Tateurndina

Species: ocellicauda Nichols 1955

Common name: peacock gudgeon, pastel goby, eye spot sleeper

2.2 Taxonomic reference

Nichols, John T. (1955) Results of the Archbold Expeditions. No. 71. Two New Fresh-Water Fishes from New Guinea.American Museum Novitates.Allen, G. R. (1991) Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of New Guinea Munro, Ian. (1967) Key & Description. The Fishes of New Guinea 1967: 516, 524

3. Describe the current status of the species in its natural range.

STATUS OF Tateurndina ocellicauda IN ITS NATURAL RANGE

3.1 Status of species in its natural range

Available information indicates that ;

The peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) is said to be common in its natural habitat that is rainforest streams on the northeastern side of the Owen Stanley Range of Eastern Papua New Guinea (Allen 1991).

T. ocellicauda is common in the vegetation at the edges of rainforest streams in its natural range (Caughey 1984).

T. ocellicauda forms schools that hover over the bottom in rainforest streams in the vicinity of Popondetta and Safia northeast of the Owen Stanley Ranges (Allen 1991).

3.2 Natural Distribution

The peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) inhabits the creeks within the 20-mile strip of rainforest between the coast and the escarpment of Eastern Papua, from Peria Creek, Kwagira River. (Nichols 1955)

Found in rainforest streams in the vicinity of Popendetta and Safia northeast of the Owen Stanley Ranges (Allen 1991).

Distribution map prepared by David Wilson

based on Allen, G.R. (1991) Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of New Guinea

3.3 Conservation Status

The peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) is not listed as rare, threatened or endangered in its natural range. (Froese and Pauly, 2002).

Peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda is not on the IUCN Red List. However Allen (1991) states that there is urgent need to conduct flora and fauna surveys throughout much of New Guinea. The frequency of mining, logging and land clearing are increasing with preference given to the local economy over conservation issues.

Peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda is not a CITES listed organism. There is no record of Tateurndina ocellicauda on the CITES listed species data base available as an electronic publication on the World Wide Web at the universal resource locator http://www.cites.org/eng/resources/species.html

3.4 Ecological Role

No observations of natural diet are available, but aquarium observations indicate it is a predator of small invertebrates. Within aquaria it accepts a broad range of prepared diets as well as live daphnia, cyclops, small nematode worms, small aquatic insect larvae, and brine shrimp.

The peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) is a small planktivore, a second order consumer that would form part of the diet of larger predatory fishes. It is a small species with an average standard length of 35 mm.

It hovers in schools near bottom of rainforest creeks to a depth of one meter (Allen 1991), also found in the vicinity of thick aquatic vegetation adjacent to the edges of streams (Caughey 1984).

Caughey (1984) noted that captive specimens did not eat the fry of the rainbowfish Melanotaenia splendida in the same aquarium. From this it could be assumed that rainbowfish fry do not form part of the normal diet. John Cousins, a fish breeder of Melbourne, indicates that he breeds native Australian rainbowfishes within the same aquarium as peacock gudgeons and the fry of the rainbowfish are not devoured. (Personal communication with John Cousins of 1 Morilla Place, Warrandyte, VIC 3113. Phone 03 9844 1245).

Other species observed with Tateurndina ocellicauda in its natural range include two other species of gudgeon, a perch like fish (most likely Kuhlia marginata Allen 1991), and the blue-eye Pseudomugil connieae. (Caughey 1984) They are found in small rainforest streams, usually in quiet sections with rocky bottoms.

Other fishes that co-occur in the same streams include Pseudomugil furcatus and P. connieae, Craterocephalus kailolae, Tetracentrum honessi, Mogurnda orientalis, Mogurnda sp. (undescribed), and Glossogobius sp. (also undescribed). (Personal communication with Dr Gerald Allen).

A comparison of all the New Guinea freshwater fishes’ distribution and habitat preferences from information available (Allen 1991) would indicate the following species occur with or near the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda). Each of the species is listed below as well as some information as to its probable ecological role in relation to the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda).

Robert's River Garfish (Zenachopterus robertsi)

Members of the Garfish family (Hemiramphidae) are generally surface feeding herbivores, omnivores or carnivores (Allen, Midgley & Allen 2002) and it is unknown whether Robert's River Garfish would use any life stage of the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) to form part of its diet. Being a surface feeder it is unlikely to eat any life stage of the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda), which inhabits the deeper parts of the stream. Fishes of the genus Zenachopterus are generally quite small.

Popondetta Blue-eye (Pseudomugil connieae)

Confirmed by Dr Gerald Allen as being present with peacock gudgeon. Members of the Blue-eye family (Pseudomugilidae) are generally small schooling midwater to surface feeding carnivores with small mouths, feeding mainly on micro-crustaceans and insect larvae. (Allen, Midgley & Allen 2002) and unlikely to be able to eat any stage of the life history of the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda)

Forktail Blue-eye (Pseudomugil furcatus)

Confirmed by Dr Gerald Allen as being present with peacock gudgeon. Members of the Blue-eye family (Pseudomugilidae) are generally small schooling midwater to surface feeding carnivores with small mouths, feeding mainly on micro-crustaceans and insect larvae. (Allen, Midgley & Allen 2002) and unlikely to be able to eat any stage of the life history of the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda)

Kailola’s Hardyhead (Craterocephalus kailolae)

Confirmed by Dr Gerald Allen as being present with peacock gudgeon. Members of the Hardyhead family (Atherinidae) are generally midwater to surface feeding omnivores that form schools (Allen, Midgley & Allen 2002) and are unlikely to feed on any stage of the life history of the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) except the very young fry.

Honess' Glass Perchlett (Tetracentrum honessi)

Confirmed by Dr Gerald Allen as being present with peacock gudgeon. Members of the Glassfish Family (Ambassidae) are generally nocturnal feeders all depths and schooling near shelter during the day (Allen, Midgley & Allen 2002). Honess' Glass Perchlett grows to 110 mm and would be likely to feed upon fry and sub adult peacock gudgeons.

Spotted Flagtail (Kuhlia marginata)

The Spotted Flagtail has little information to suggest its habits. However the very closely related Jungle Perch (Kuhlia rupestris) is an omnivore that feeds on smaller live fish and crustaceans. (Merrick & Schmida 1984) It could be assumed that the Spotted Flagtail could be a predator of all the life stages of the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda)

Kokoda Mogurnda (Mogurnda lineata)

Members of the gudgeon family are small to medium sized carnivorous fishes feeding mainly on small crustaceans and aquatic insects. Kokoda mogurnda, at 85 mm standard length, is unlikely to be a major predator of the peacock gudgeon except for very small fry.

Eastern Mogurnda (Mogurnda orientalis)

Confirmed by Dr Gerald Allen as being present with peacock gudgeon. Members of the gudgeon family are small to medium sized carnivorous fishes feeding mainly on small crustaceans and aquatic insects. Eastern Mogurnda at 110 mm standard length is unlikely to be a major predator of the peacock gudgeon except perhaps consuming for very small fry.

Papuan gudgeon (Mogurnda sp. No 4)

Members of the gudgeon family are small to medium sized carnivorous fishes feeding mainly on small crustaceans and aquatic insects. The papuan gudgeon, at 65 mm maximum length, is unlikely to be a major predator of the peacock gudgeon except perhaps consuming the very small fry.

Papillate Goby (Glossogobius sp. No 4)

Members of the goby family are small to medium sized usually carnivorous fishes feeding mainly on small crustaceans and aquatic insects. The Papillate Goby at 60 mm standard length is unlikely to be a major predator of the peacock gudgeon except for consuming the very small fry.

Cleft-Lipped Goby (Sicyopterus cyanocephalus)

Members of the goby family are small to medium sized usually carnivorous fishes feeding mainly on small crustaceans and aquatic insects. However the sicydrine gobies, such as Sicyopterus, are herbivores, with specialized teeth and jaws. The Cleft-Lipped Goby prefers fast flowing cobblestone streams which is slightly different to the peacock gudgeon preferred habitat. The goby has been reported from the same area as the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) and at a size of 130 mm standard length and an herbivore, is unlikely to be a predator of the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda).

Threadfin Stream Goby (Sicyopterus longifilis)

Members of the goby family are small to medium sized, usually carnivorous fishes feeding mainly on small crustaceans and aquatic insects. However the sicydrine gobies, such as Sicyopterus, are herbivores, with specialized teeth and jaws. The Threadfin Goby prefers the same habitat type as the peacock gudgeon habitat and is reported from the same area but at a size of 130 mm standard length and an herbivore is unlikely to be a predator of the peacock gudgeon.

Ornate Stream Goby (Sicyopterus zosterophorum)

Members of the goby family are small to medium sized carnivorous fishes feeding mainly on small crustaceans and aquatic insects. However the sicydrine gobies, such as Sicyopterus, are herbivores, with specialized teeth and jaws. There is only one record of the Ornate Stream Goby in the same area and habitat type as the peacock gudgeon habitat but at a size of 35 mm standard length and an herbivore it is unlikely to be a predator of the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda).

Indian Shortfinned Eel (Anguilla bicolor)

Members of the Eel family (Anguillidae) are nocturnal predators feeding mainly on fishes, crustaceans and molluscs. The Indian Shortfinned Eel grows to a maximum size of 600 mm and could be a predator of the peacock gudgeon taking all the life history stages of the fish at night.

Pacific Long-finned Eel (Anguilla megastoma)

Members of the Eel family (Anguillidae) are nocturnal predators feeding mainly on fishes, crustaceans and molluscs. The Pacific Long-finned Eel grows to a maximum size of 900 mm and could be a predator of the peacock gudgeon taking all the life history stages of the fish at night.

New Guinea predatory fishes such as the Giant Perches (Centropomidae), Grunters (Terapontidae), Cardinal Fishes (Apogonidae), Snappers (Lutjanidae), Fork-tail catfishes (Ariidae), Eel-tailed Catfishes (Plotosidae), Longtoms (Belonidae) and Bonytongues (Osteoglossidae) appear to be absent or not recorded from the area where the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) occurs (Allen 1991). The predator response of Tateurndina from available information could be assumed from descriptions of the habit of the fish in the stream from (Allen 1991) and (Caughey 1984) that the fish hovers in schools above the clear center of a small stream and when disturbed takes refuge in the cover of aquatic plants at the edge of the stream adjacent the steep bank. (Caughey 1984). The peacock gudgeon is very unlikely to have a well developed predator response to the usual Australian predatory fishes that would occur in the area where there may be suitable physical habitat for the gudgeon.

No information is available about the species of plants within the same habitat of Tateurndina ocellicauda except that it is rainforest. Caughey (1984) mentions that the fish hide among the aquatic vegetation at the edges of the stream where Barry Crockford collected the specimens that he brought to Australia.

3.4 Human Uses in natural range

No record of peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda being used by the inhabitants of New Guinea could be found.

4. Describe the current status of the species in Australia.

STATUS OF Tateurndina ocellicauda IN AUSTRLIA

4.1 Current Status

The peacock gudgeon has been used solely as an ornamental species within Australia. This species has been bred and sold through aquarium shop outlets and among aquarium hobbyists since its introduction in 1983. It is an ornamental aquaculture species cultured by the Tasmanian aquaculture business called "Tasmanian Ornamental Fish" (Personal communication with Shane Willis proprietor of Tasmanian Ornamental Fish). It is also cultured for the aquarium trade by Guyra Pty Ltd, a Queensland ornamental fish aquaculture business (Personal communication with Aimee Brooks, Proprietor of Guyra Pty Ltd).

The peacock gudgeon, because of its small size and a placid disposition coupled with attractive colouration, makes an interesting addition to the community aquarium of the aquarium hobbyist. It usually occupies the bottom one third of the aquarium among vegetation near rocks and driftwood (personal observation David Wilson).

The peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) is featured on the price list of Aquarium Industries of Melbourne (Personal communication with Glenn Briggs of Aquarium Industries and Shane Willis of Tasmanian Ornamental Fish). I have observed this species for sale in aquarium shops in Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT from 1984. I first purchased this fish in 1984 from an aquarium shop called "Pisces World Aquarium", in Belconen in the ACT, proprietors were David and Helen Seal.

4.2 Naturalised Populations

An extensive search of all Government Department web sites, both Australian and overseas that relate to introduced and pest fishes have revealed no record of the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda). Lever & Camm (1996) record no occurrences of peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) becoming naturalised anywhere throughout the world. Australian Government and some overseas government World Wide Web universal resource locators for pest fish information are listed at the bottom of this report.

McKay 1984 makes no mention of peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) in chapter nine titled "Introductions of Exotic Fishes in Australia", of the book "Distribution Biology and Management of Exotic Fishes".

McKay 1988 makes no mention of peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) in his paper Exotic and Translocated Fishes in Australia, part of the proceedings of the workshop sponsored by the Asian Fisheries Society and the Australian International Development Bureau.

Arthington 1988 makes no mention of peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) in her paper Impacts of Introduced and Translocated Freshwater Fishes in Australia, part of the proceedings of the workshop sponsored by the Asian Fisheries Society and the Australian International Development Bureau.

5. Assess the likelihood that the species could establish in the Australian environment

LIKELIHOOD THAT THE PEACOCK GUDGEON Tateurndina ocellicauda COULD ESTABLISH IN AUSTRALIAN ENVIRONMENT

5.1 Peacock Gudgeon Pathway to Australian Environment

The peacock gudgeon is already here within Australia and being used as an ornamental species. Currently it is transported to aquarium outlets around Australia except the Northern Territory, from the aquaculture facilities in Brisbane and Tasmania and private hobbyists breeding rooms via the aquarium fish wholesalers. To determine pathways to the Australian environment one would put areas of human population that coincide with areas that may have suitable habitat for the species. The population areas that occur within the area that may hold suitable habitat for peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda would be around Darwin and from Cairns south to Townsville. (Rose, AJ et.al. (1984) The Macquarie Illustrated World Atlas) If there were intentional or accidental releases to the environment by ill advised unthinking persons they would likely to be close to a populated area. The aquatic habitats in these areas have a healthy population of daylight predators (Allen G.R., Midgley S.H., and Allen M. 2002), which would quickly consume the peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda.

5.2 Peacock Gudgeon Entry Potential

Already entered the country during 1983 and being used as an ornamental species since that date.

5.3 Peacock Gudgeon Colonisation Potential

The habitat criteria to support a population of peacock gudgeons are rainforest stream with a minimum dry season or winter water temperature not below 15° Celsius and low predator diversity.

There are few places within the north of Australia that meet these criteria. These suitable habitats would occur within the red area on the map below. If the peacock gudgeon were a robust species it could be assumed it would have a much larger distribution on the mainland of New Guinea not only in small rainforest area near Popondetta.

It is possible for the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) a tropical species to establish in various waters of North Queensland, Northern Territory and the North of Western Australia that meet the criteria to support this species as would be the case for most exotic fish species presently on the allowable list in section 303EB of EPBC Act 1999. The likelihood of establishment from repeated small introductions would be minimal. To establish a self supporting population would need a large number of individuals to be introduced into the natural waterway that is similar in physical attributes to its native habitat as well as having low predator numbers and species in the area of introduction.

It has been established that the peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda has very limited number predators in its natural habitat. Most of the Australian areas that this species may survive will have a full range of predators that would quickly remove this species because of its poor predator response and uncompetitive nature. From Allen, Midgley & Allen 2002 the predatory species not present in its natural range but present in Australian waters from central Queensland around to the Kimberley in WA that will consume this species in its adult form are likely to be;

Soles-SOLEIDAE

Freshwater Sole Brachirus selheimi

Saltpan Sole Brachirus salinarum

Tailed Sole Aseraggodes klunzingeri

Tongue Soles-CYNOGLOSSIDAE

Freshwater Tongue Sole Cynoglossus heterolepis

Gudgeons-ELEOTRIDAE

Spangled Gudgeon Ophiocara porocephala

Small-eyed Sleeper Prionobutis microps

Brown Gudgeon Eleotris fusca

Ebony Gudgeon Eleotris melanosoma

Spinecheek Gudgeon Eleotris acanthopoma

Crimson Tipped Gudgeon Butis butis

Giant Gudgeon Oxeleotris selheimi

Sleepy Cod Oxeleotris lineolata

Fimbriate Gudgeon Oxeleotris fimbriata

Snakehead Gudgeon Giurus margaritacea

Greenback Gauvina Bunaka gyrinoides

Barred Gudgeon Bostrichthys zonatus

Sinuous Gudgeon Odonteleotris macrodon

Gobies-GOBIIDAE

Munro’s Goby Glossogobius species 2

Flathead Goby Glossogobius giurus

Golden Goby Glossogobius aureus

Archerfishes-TOXOTIDAE

Kimberley Archerfish Toxotes species

Primitive Archerfish Toxotes lorentzi

Seven-spot Archerfish Toxotes chatareus

Cardinalfishes-APOGONIDAE

Mouth Almighty Glossamia aprion

Flagtails-KUHLIIDAE

Jungle Perch Kuhlia rupestris

Grunters-TERAPONTIDAE

Gulf Grunter Scortum ogilbyi

Spangled Perch Leiopotherapon unicolor

Khaki Grunter Hephaestus tulliensis

Jenkins Grunter Hephaestus jenkinsi

Sooty Grunter Hephaestus fuliginosus

Long-nose Sooty Grunter Hephaestus epirrhinos

Coal Grunter Hephaestus carbo

Barred Grunter Amniataba percoides

Giant Perches-CENTROPOMIDAE

Barramundi Lates calcarifer

Glassfishes-AMBASSIDAE

Giant Glassfish Parambassis gulliveri

Swamp Eels-SYNBRANCHIDAE

Swamp Eel Ophisternon gutturale

One-gilled Eel Ophisternon bengalense

Belut Monopterus albus

Longtoms-BELONIDAE

Freshwater Longtom Strongylura krefftii

Fork-Tailed Catfishes-ARIIDAE

Silver Cobbler Arius midgleyi

Arius leptaspis

Lesser Salmon Catfish Arius graffei

Freshwater Eels-ANGUILLIDAE

Marbled Eel Anguilla reinhardtii

Pacific Short-finned Eel Anguilla obscura

Indian Short-finned Eel Anguilla bicolor

Bony Tongues-OSTEOGLOSSIDAE

Gulf Saratoga Scleropages jardinii

Habitat matches within Australia

Bureau of Meteorology Climate Classification map

produced from the Meteorological web site on published electronically on the World Wide Web.

The information from the collectors of this species and its environmental tolerances and habitat requirements would appear to restrict its spread in Australia to climate types classified as Tropical Rainforest, Tropical Savanna, Equatorial Rainforest, Equatorial Savanna. These climate types could support habitat suitable for peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda.

Australian Bureau of Meteorology climate map available on the World Wide Web as an

electronic publication at universal resource locator http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/environ/other/kpn.jpg

To determine where suitable habitats for the species may occur within Australia, the Australian climate map was reproduced and the climate types that match the tropical rainforest climate type in New Guinea where the species occurs have been shaded on a map of Australia. The climate types most likely to support suitable habitat have been shaded red on the map copied from the Bureau of meteorology map. This area indicates where suitable habitats may occur. Suitable habitats for the species would be most frequently occur in tropical wet rainforest but also suitable habitats would occur less frequently in the other climate types where springs feed small permanent creeks. Most low land physically suitable habitat near populated areas would also have a full range of predatory fish, which would make the habitat unsuitable. Some habitat areas that would be suitable in the NT may be found on the tops of the escarpment areas. The top of the Litchfield escarpment and some areas of the Kakadu and Arnhem Land escarpment areas have only a few species without the larger predators of the floodplain. There would be similar areas within Queensland and on the upland areas of the Kimberley Region. There would also be suitable predator reduced areas within the rainforest areas in North Queensland. It is unlikely that there would be suitable habitat near populated areas except perhaps in the Cairns and Townsville area of north Queensland. These areas are the most likely to have an illegal introduction of aquarium fishes to the natural environment because of their proximity to populated areas.

Attempts at polyculture using peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) along with other small native Australian fishes in a Queensland aquaculture facility, Guyra Pty Ltd, have been unsuccessful because of the poor competitive nature of the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) (Personal communication with Aimee Brooks Proprietor of Guyra Pty Ltd, Wamuran, Qld)

Small numbers of more than seventy species of exotic ornamental fishes were in the display aquariums of Katherine Aquarium Shop when floodwaters inundated the shop during 1999. The Flood released all the captive stocks of exotic tropical and temperate ornamental fishes from the display aquaria of Katherine Pet shop into the Katherine River. The Katherine River flows into the Daly River then into the Arafura Sea. There are no reports of exotic fishes recorded from the Katherine or Daly Rivers since that event. (Personal Communication with Aquatic Pest Manager, Andria Marshall of NT Fisheries Division of the Department of Business Industries and Resource Development. [DBIRD])

5.4 Peacock Gudgeon Spread Potential in the Australian Environment

If for some reason the peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda were to become established in a creek or river system the potential for it to spread would be almost impossible. The normal way for fish to spread from one waterway to another is:

Egg Transport-Not possible with peacock gudgeons Tateurndina ocellicauda as they have small patches of eggs, adhered to a secluded hard surface guarded by the male and not likely to be in a position to be attached to plants or other moveable items. Once the egg is glued to the rock on initial spawning it is not adhesive once removed. (personal observation of David Wilson).

Floods-It is possible for the waters of two or more river systems to mix during a flood but usually on the floodplain. If the peacock gudgeon were on the floodplain it would have to face the most predators of all the habitats. It would be almost impossible for it to survive.

Between river systems through the sea. Some species have the ability to withstand seawater salinities and move from one river system to the next. This is not possible for the peacock gudgeon as it dies in seawater salinity (32 parts per thousand salinity) personal observation of David Wilson.

Natural dispersal within creek system. Fishes move up and down waterways moving into, and colonising areas that are suitable. It would be possible for the peacock gudgeon to do this if there were much suitable habitat but with poor predator response and the mostly intermittent nature of small tropical Australian streams it is extremely unlikely to occur.

Human intervention-it is possible for unthinking uneducated persons to translocate exotic fishes from their aquaria to a natural waterway. If there is a good environmentlal education program and the fish are valuable the chances of this occurring are greatly reduced. I know it already happens, particularly with misnamed fishes such as Mosquito Fish (Gambusia holbrooki) and Guppies (Poecola reticulata) that have been moved around in the mistaken belief they are more efficient at mosquito control than native species.

6. Assess the consequences of the species becoming established in the Australian environment.

CONSEQUENSE OF Tateurndina ocellicauda BECOMING ESTABLISHED IN AUSTRALIAN ENVIRONMENT

6.1 Economic Impact Potential

The economic impact of the establishment of peacock gudgeon in a water body would depend on the extent of the establishment. It is almost impossible for the species to spread so the economic impact would be greater if it were in a small unnatural waterway that would be controlled by Government aquatic pest managers. The removal of a feral fish species would usually involve the use of a several staff and some fish poison such as rotenone that would be administered to the waterway. The waterway would be restocked with a number of native species after the rotenone dissipated then monitored for quite some time after the rotenone applications. If the establishment was in a natural water way the species does not damage or alter the environment, does not compete with native forage fishes very well so it would most likely be left as are the other small exotic fishes that have established in natural waters.

6.2 Environmental Impact Potential

The major impacts on the environment from introduced fishes are from hybridisation, habitat disruption, competition for space, competition for food and the risk of the introduction of disease or parasites. (Arthington and Lloyd 1989)

The impact of this species if established in our waters would be minimal with its very small size, its apparent poor predator response, poor competitive nature, lack of habitat disruption, its peaceful disposition toward other fish and its diet of planktonic organisms not above the size of approximately 2 millimeters (Caughey 1984). The fact that no import is required therefore there is no possibility of disease or parasite introduction.

6.2.1 Competition with native species

Peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) would appear to occupy a similar but more restricted ecological niche as the Carp Gudgeon (Hypseleotris compressa) without the carp gudgeon’s ability to withstand a broad range of saline conditions and with less temperature tolerances than H. compressa. It would not out compete native species for space but most likely co exist with local fishes and be out competed for space by the local small forage fishes. It will probably be first choice of larger predators as it would be more colourful and thus more conspicuous than local species and thus easy prey for local predatory fish. It is likely that it would have less developed predator response because of the low predator diversity in its native habitat and thus be less likely to avoid local predators. If the species were highly competitive common sense would dictate that it would have a much larger natural distribution outside the small area of specialised rainforest habitat of New Guinea in which it occurs.

6.2.2 Breeding capability

Breeding information about peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) from its natural habitat is not available. However spawning in captive environments is well documented in the aquarium literature. The peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) has low fecundity, a mature female lays between 30 and 200 eggs approximately per spawning but a spawning of 30 to 40 eggs is more common. (Tappin 1998). The fry are fully grown and sexually mature approximately 9 to 12 months of age. (Personal observation by David Wilson) It breeds in water over 22° C and less than 30° C temperature. The adult fishes tend not to eat their fry. (Observations of David Wilson)

Assuming there are no predators and ample food ten pairs of Peacock Gudgeon producing on average 35 eggs per brood and a maturation time of 9 months to sexual maturity the potential to produce numbers of the species is about 26,250 individuals. This compared with the breeding potential of some introduced Poeciliids (Gambusia and Guppies) is quite small considering the breeding potential of the Poeciliids could be over 4,000,000 from 10 pair in the same 12 month period. (Meffe and Nelson 1989)

6.2.3 Disease

No import is requested therefore the quarantine concerns of disease introduction from another country is not an issue.

Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) "Import Risk Analysis on Live Ornamental Finfish" July 1999 covers required disease prevention procedures to import ornamental fishes from another country. The risk analysis protocols are available in electronic form from the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service information on the World Wide Web at the universal resource locator, http://www.affa.gov.au. The import risk analysis document is downloadable from the World Wide Web.

Disease protocols for the transfer of wildlife between countries are set down by the Office Internationale des Epizooties (OIE). Information is available from the World Wide Web universal resource locator for OIE. http://www.oie.org

The transfer of aquatic life between states was subject of an agreement in 1999. The Ministerial Council on Forestry, Fisheries and Agriculture formulated the "The National Policy for the Translocation of Live Aquatic Organisms-Issues, Principles and Guidelines for Implementation". The details of this agreement is available as an electronic publication on the World Wide Web at universal resource locator http://www.bra.gov.au/fish/translocation.html

6.2.4 Habitat altering capability

Peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) does not move substrate, damage plants or cause any serious alteration to its habitat. A spawning pair will clean a small piece rock, large leaf of aquatic plant or log to make a suitable site for spawning. The spawning site is generally in a place hidden from other larger aquatic creatures such as inside a small hollow log or crevice in some rocks. (personal observation David Wilson)

6.2.5 Pest History

An extensive search of available literature and the Internet failed to produce any information on the establishment of any feral populations of peacock gudgeons Tateurndina ocellicauda anywhere in the world.

The web site http://www.Fishbase.org lists the peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda as harmless. Lever & Camm (1996) mention no occurrences of peacock gudgeon establishing a feral population anywhere in the world.

6.2.7 Habitat Requirements

Natural Habitat description: Found in a thin belt of rainforest approximately 20 miles wide between the coast and an escarpment. Original specimens collected in Peria Creek, Kwagira River, eastern Papua, New Guinea, came from pools in intermittent streams 10 miles from the coast, altitude approximately 50 meters. (Nichols 1955). On the northeastern side of the Owen Stanley Range Eastern Papua New Guinea, common in rainforest streams in the vicinity of Safia and Popondetta. Forms schools that hover over the bottom. (Allen 1991). Habitat description from Crockford collection east of Popondetta, small slow moving stream about 3' deep, steep well vegetated banks with thick aquatic vegetation near the edges of the stream while the center of the stream was open. The specimens were collected among the vegetation. Other species observed with peacock gudgeon by Crockford were two other gudgeon species, a large perch type fish and the Fork Tailed Rainbowfish (Popondetta ?) (Caughey 1984)

Physical tolerances natural habitat

Temperature 22 - 27 ° C

Turbidity Clear, bottom visible in 3 foot

Hardness 80 ppm

Alkalinity 15 to 102 ppm

pH 7.6

salinity 90 to 130 microsemens

Dissolved O2 Not known

Physical tolerances in aquaria

Temperature 15 to 30 ° C (die below 15 ° C)

Turbidity Not known, usually clear in an aquarium

Hardness 10 to 360 ppm

Alkalinity 15 to 204 ppm

pH 6.6. to 7.6

salinity 0 to 2 parts per thousand possibly a little higher

Dissolved O2 Not known

Physical tolerances compiled from personal observations and the observations of Aimee Brooks of Guyra Pty Ltd as well as the following references:

Caughey, Alex. (1984)

Crockford, B. (1983)

Frank, S. (1996)

Froese, R. and Pauly, D.(2002)

Gewinner, Heinrich (2001)

Staek, Wolfgang. (1989)

Tappin, Adrian. (1998)

6.3 Perceived Impact (Social & Political Influences)

If the peacock gudgeon did become established in a natural waterway there may be some complaints made by various environmental groups, possible ameteur fishermen’s associations and other special interest groups that interested in the welfare of our waterways.

6.4 Behavioral Characteristics

Describe the behaviour of the species, including its behaviour to its own kind and to other species, and the potential it has for causing physical disturbance to its habitat.

Behaviour toward own species - There is no information about the behaviour of the peacock gudgeon toward its own species in its natural habitat. However in an aquarium peacock gudgeons generally ignore each other most of the time. Mature males do chase other males from the small area they have selected as their home range. This area in an aquarium could be approximately 15 to 20 centimeter radius circle around an object or place that the male has selected as a possible breeding site. If another male challenges the area both males sit motionless adjacent each other with all fins erect and quivering. After a few seconds there may be a brief contact between the two fish, then one male will usually retreat. After such an exchange there is usually very little or no damage to the contestants. Occasionally a fin is split. (Personal observation David Wilson)

Behaviour toward other species - There is no information available about the behaviour of the peacock gudgeon toward other species within its natural habitat. I have kept peacock gudgeons with native forage fishes such as Rainbowfishes (Melanotaeniidae), Hardyheads (Atherinidae) Glass Perchlets, (Ambassidae), Blue-eyes (Melanotaeniidae) and small Gudgeons (Eleotrididae). The vast majority of the native Australian forage fishes just mentioned do not pay any attention to the peacock gudgeon. The peacock gudgeons are generally too small to be a bother to the small forage fishes except maybe the blue-eyes but there is no interaction between Blue-eyes and peacock gudgeons because their paths do not cross. The Blue-eyes inhabit the surface waters and the peacock gudgeons stay near the substrate. There will be a competition for the small invertebrates used as food by most small forage fishes. In an aquarium unless there is ample prey items for food available to the peacock gudgeons, they will lose condition more readily than the Australian forage species kept in the same aquarium. (Personal observation by David Wilson) This observation is also supported by Aimee Brooks of Guyra Pty Ltd in failed attempts at poly culture of the peacock gudgeon with small native forage species in the same aquaculture ponds.

One of the most experienced aquarium hobbyists in Melbourne has reported that he has observed peacock gudgeons nipping the lower lobe of the caudal fin of a tetra species. Tetras are a South American group of fishes belonging to the family Characidae. They are usually very small forage fishes and common in the aquarium trade. (Personal communication with Ron Bowman of 49 Chadstone Rd, Malvern East, Vic 3145 phone 03 9568 8144)

Andrew Thornton the New South Wales Liaison Officer for the Australia and New Guinea Fishes Association has reported that he placed newly hatched rainbowfish fry in a small aquarium together with peacock gudgeons Tateurndina ocellicauda and they consumed the fry. (Personal Communication with Andrew Thornton of NSW, ANGFA phone 02 9882 1937)

Peacock gudgeons nipped small portions from the anal fin of an immature threadfin rainbowfish Iriatherina werneri in a community aquarium containing many small Australian native fishes. (Personal observation of David Wilson in an Aquarium in Howard Springs NT, November 2002.)

6.5 Feeding characteristics/ diet

In natural habitat

The natural diet of Tateurndina ocellicauda could not be ascertained. There are no studies of this species in its natural habitat.

In aquaria/captivity

In aquaria the species sits motionless near its preferred area and will move towards a prey item and inhale it by extending operculum. The fish will then remain motionless in the same location for a few seconds then move toward and inhale another prey item. It will continue this behaviour while prey items are available until its abdomen is noticeably more distended. (David Wilson observation of peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda eating water fleas Moina sp. in aquaria 14 July 2000)

6.6 Breeding

There are no known observations of spawning in natural habitat. Spawning observations in the aquarium are well documented.

Peacock gudgeons will breed readily when kept in water with temperature between 20°C to 26°C, pH 6.8 to 7.8 and a general hardness up to 150 ppm. Prior to spawning the pair carefully clean the selected site of any extraneous material. Females may produce successive broods each containing between 30 to 200 eggs, although 30 to 40 seems to be the average brood size. The pair generally seeks out a secluded area in the aquarium for spawning and will deposit their eggs on rocks, driftwood, or other solid object. The eggs are laid in rows, each having a sticky base that adheres them to the spawning site. Immediately after spawning the male will usually drive the female away, so at this time it is best to remove the female. Like all members of Eleotrididae (the gudgeon family) the male positions itself over the eggs and continually fans its pectoral fins keeping the eggs oxygenated and free of detritus until they hatch. Eggs hatch between 6 and 10 days depending on temperature. Soon after they hatch they become free swimming the male will stop caring for them. The fry will take artemia nauplii and microworms when first hatched. They grow quite quickly and soon resemble little yellowish replicas of their parents. (Tappin 1998)

6.7 Hybridisation

It is unlikely for the species to hybridise with any native fish. The closest relatives of the peacock gudgeon native to Australia are members of the genus Mogurnda, eg. purple spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda mogurnda) and the snakehead gudgeon (Ophieleotris aporos). Akihito et al (2000). The snakehead gudgeon (Ophieleotris aporos) grows to 230 mm, Allen Midgley & Allen (2002) and the Mogurndas in the north of Australia in the area of climate suitable to support habitat suitable for the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) grow to a length of 100 mm. The standard length of T.ocellicauda at 35mm (Allen 1991) would make it unlikely that a successful pairing of the different species would occur. Any contact between the different species would more likely result in T.ocellicauda being consumed as a prey item.

Akihito and others have studied the genetic relationships between the gudgeon families and found that peacock gudgeon is genetically different its two closest Australian relatives. They produced a diagram with the genetic relationships represented by the drawing of a tree indicating what they call bootstrap values. The diagram indicates there are differences between the peacock gudgeon and the other Australian related species. Akihito, Akihisa Iwata, Takanori Kobayashi, Kaxuho Ikeo, Tadashi Imanishi, Hiroaki Ono, Yumi Umehara, Chika Hamamatsu, Kayo Sugiyama, Yuji Ikeda, Katsuichi Sakamoto, Akishinonomiya Fumihito, Susumu Ohno, Takashi Gojobori (2000) Evolutionary aspects of gobioid fishes based upon a phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b genes. Gene 259 (2000) 5-15.

The genetic differences coupled with the physical differences between peacock gudgeon and its Australian relatives would make it impossible for hybridisation to occur.

6.8 Physical Characteristics

The peacock gudgeon is quite distinguishable from any other small gudgeon species. There is a superficial resemblance between it and the purple spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda mogurnda) but anyone who is familiar with Australian native fishes could not confuse the two species. The sexes are distinguishable from about the age of six months or slightly before. The female peacock gudgeons develop a black margin along the outer edge of the anal fin. The male peacock gudgeon does not have this black margin. The male peacock gudgeon develops a more pronounced lump on its forehead as it becomes sexually mature. Males tend to be a few millimeters larger than females at sexual maturity. (Personal observation of David Wilson)

Describe any potentially harmful characteristics of the species. Include: any potential for harm to humans and any available mitigation measures (such as anti?venom); and methods for appropriate handling. The peacock gudgeon is described as harmless on the World Wide Web universal resource locator http://www.fishbase.org Froese, R. and Pauly, D. (2002). No record of any venomous or toxic characteristics relating to this species could be found.

Describe the maximum length and weight the species attains (male and female). A male peacock gudgeon has been recorded at 75 mm Froese, R. and Pauly, D. (2002). The more usual size in an aquarium is 40 to 50 mm Tappin, Adrian. (1998)

6.9 Consequences of establishment, physical damage to environment and cost to rehabilitate, impact on other species

It could be considered that this species is a very low risk to the environment should it become established. The information about the species in the report indicates that it fills a similar niche to Carp Gudgeon Hypseleotris compressa but with a much-reduced range and physical tolerances, other fishes with similar ecological niche would be Dwarf Gudgeon Oxeleotris nullipora and some other small gobies. If the fish escaped or was deliberately released into a place where it could survive the local predators and managed to establish in a permanent Australian River, I believe that it would not directly compete with, or threaten the population of, any other native fish. The peacock gudgeon would be able to coexist together with other Australian fishes, without hybridizing with any other species of eleotrid or displacing any other species of Australian fish. If it were to become established in an Australian waterway the peacock gudgeon would cause no physical damage to the aquatic habitat, as peacock gudgeons have no digging or substrate disturbing habits, they have no vegetation moving or destroying habits.

7. Provide information and results of any other similar assessments undertaken on the species (e.g. assessments of the species by the Vertebrate Pests Committee or any relevant State or Territory Agency).

SIMILAR ASSESSMENTS OF Tateurndina ocellicauda

Alex McNee of the Bureau of Rural Sciences compiled a report titled "A national approach to the management of exotic fish species in the aquarium trade: An inventory of exotic freshwater species" A Report for Fisheries Resources Research Fund. Lists exotic fishes believed to be present in Australia and reported an assessment of the peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda as unsuitable for addition to the allowable import list. There appears to be no date on this report but a telephone call with Mr. McNee confirmed it was published during September 1999.

8. Provide information on all other relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory legislative controls on the species and the assessment upon which these controls were based.

OTHER LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS ON Tateurndina ocellicauda

Provide information on all other relevant Commonwealth, State, and Territory legislative controls on the species and the assessments upon which these controls were based.

8.1 The Commonwealth Government regulation of fish imports comes under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The list of allowable species of fishes for importation into Australia was attached as schedule 6 of the Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Imports and Exports) Act 1982 and the peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda was not included on this list. The current list of fishes allowed for importation occurs in section 303 EB of the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) is not listed in that legislation.

8.1 The Northern Territory

The Northern Territory Department of Business Industry and Resource Development, Fisheries Division will not allow peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) across its border unless it has passed the Commonwealth guidelines for acceptance into the country. The list of species of fishes allowed into the Northern Territory for ornamental fishes is the same as Commonwealth list but with the possibility of having the species rejected if it is deemed unsuitable by the NT Minister for Fisheries as outlined in section 26 of the Northern Territory Fisheries Regulations 2001. The Fisheries division currently comes under the umbrella of the Department of Business Industry and Resource Development.

8.2 The Queensland Government.

The aquarium fish trade control comes under the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994 and the Queensland Fisheries Regulation 1995. Sections 88, 89, 90 of the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994 regulate possession transport and release of non-indigenous fishes and noxious fishes. The aquarium trade has a list of allowable species called "non-indigenous fisheries resource" under the provisions of schedule 6 of the Queensland Fisheries Regulation 1995. The peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda is not listed on this schedule as a non-indigenous fisheries resource. Noxious fishes are listed in section 74 of the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994, Fisheries (Freshwater) Management Plan 1999 and the peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda is not recorded on that list as a noxious species.

8.3 Western Australian Government

Under Regulation 176 of the Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995, a person must not bring into the State a species of fish not endemic to the State without the written approval, or written authority, of the Executive Director of the Department of Fisheries. Species listed as noxious under Schedule 5 of the Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995 and prohibited to be imported into the State. The peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) is not listed as noxious or restricted in Western Australia.

8.4 The South Australian Government

Section 49 of the Fisheries Act 1982 makes it an offence to import or sell exotic fish. The South Australian Fisheries regulations relating to exotic aquarium fish are the Fisheries (Exotic Fish, Fish Farming And Fish Diseases) Regulations 2000, Regulations Under The Fisheries Act 1982. Part 6 of the regulations creates schedule 3 that lists the fishes exempt from Section 49 of the Fisheries Act. The peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) is not listed as exempt from Section 49 of the Fisheries Act

8.5 The New South Wales Government

New South Wales Fisheries Management Act 1994 No 38 sections 209, 210 and 211 declare certain fish and plants to be noxious and it is an offence to possess or sell noxious fish. Section 217 controls the importation of live fishes into the state. Section 340 of the New South Wales Fisheries Management (General) Regulations 2002 declares certain fish, aquatic invertebrates and plants to be noxious. The peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) is not listed as noxious in this Regulation.

8.7 The Victorian Government

Section 75 of the Victorian Fisheries Act 1995, allows the declaration of certain species as "Noxious Aquatic Species". The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment publishes the Noxious Aquatic Species List on their web site. The peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) does not appear on this list. The list is available on the World Wide Web at universal resource locator http://www.nre.vic.gov.au

8.8 The Tasmanian Government

The control of fresh water Aquarium Fish in Tasmania comes under the Inland Fisheries Service which administers the Inland Fisheries Act 1995. Section 149 of the Act declares certain fish to be controlled. Section 192 0f the Act allows the Governor to make regulations to control the import of freshwater fish. The Tasmanian Government has banned the import of all fishes that can survive in water less than 10° C. An extensive search of the Tasmanian Government legislation and Web site failed to find any mention of peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda)

8.9 The Australian Capital Territory

The ACT Government controls the movement of live fish with the Fisheries Act 2000. Section 14 of the act allows the Minister to declare species to be noxious. Section 22 of the act makes it a requirement to have a license to import or export live fishes. Section 67 of the act makes it an offence for a person to possess noxious fish. An extensive search of ACT Government web site could find no reference to peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda). The ACT Parks and Wildlife Service over sight the Aquarium trade, Environmental Section who issue permits to Aquarium fish outlets. The allowable aquarium ornamental fishes are those on Section 303EB of the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act.

9. Assess what conditions or restrictions, if any, could be applied to the import of the species to reduce any potential for negative environmental impacts.

Conditions or Restrictions that could be placed on an importation of the Species

9.1 No importation of peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) is required at present, just a listing on section 303GN of the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act to legitimise the current stocks within Australia. A pass of the risk assessment process is required to satisfy the Northern Territory Government and make the possession of the fish legal under the provisions of section 303GN of the EPBC Act. Perhaps an application will be prepared sometime in the future if fresh broodstock is required for the purposes of increasing the amount of genetic material available. At present the breeding stocks within Australia are still producing fish with few defects or abnormalities usually associated with long term in-breeding even though all appear to originate from a few fish in imported in 1983.

9.2 Usual conditions placed on the importation of a species with pronounced sexual dimorphism would be to import one sex only so that if there were introductions into the natural environment the problem would only exist for the life span of the individuals that escaped or were released. No breeding would occur. In the case of this peacock gudgeon (Tateurndina ocellicauda) both sexes are currently present within Australia.

10. Provide an overall assessment on the potential impacts of importing the species, include both the potential impacts of the particular import that is proposed and the potential impacts of the species per se (i.e. the potential impacts on the environment should the specimen(s) ever be released from effective human control.

OVERALL ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF Tateurndina ocellicauda WITHIN AUSTRALIA

10.1 Risk of establishment and consequences

The peacock gudgeon has been in Australia since 1983, which is about 20 years. No import is required at this stage. Perhaps if this application is successful someone will import some from an aquaculture facility in the USA, Europe or Asia some time in the future. Then all the quarantine protocols in place will apply. It is a popular aquarium species used within the aquarium trade in relatively small numbers when compared with some of the more popular aquarium species. It is possible that there has been exposure to the environment but very unlikely. To become established there would need to be an exposure of enough specimens in an area that would support this species that is from a small area of special habitat in New Guinea rain forested creeks that have low predator diversity. Places suitable for establishment are relatively uncommon in Australia especially near major populated areas. The probability of establishment from an exposure is rated as practically impossible. The consequences if it were established would be another small exotic species in natural waters that would not compete or interfere with native species.

10.2 Impact on physical environment

The peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda should be considered a low risk to the aquatic habitats if it were to become established in any natural waters. The species does not dig, move objects or destroy vegetation.

10.3 Impact on native species

If the peacock gudgeon Tateurndina ocellicauda escaped or was deliberately released into a place where it could survive the local predators and managed to establish in a permanent Australian water body, it would not directly compete with, or threaten the population of, any other native fish. The peacock gudgeon would be able to coexist together with other Australian forage fishes, without hybridizing with any other species of eleotrid or displacing any other species of Australian fish. It is a poor competitor for food among native forage species. It is a poor competitor for space among native species. If the establishment was in a small unnatural waterway the usual method of control would be to poison all fish in the waterway and re inoculate it with some local native species. In a large natural waterway it is unlikely that any economically feasible control measures could be undertaken.

10.4 Disease control (Possible diseases / control)

No import is required therefore there is no risk of importing disease or parasites. If there were to be an importation the normal Australian Government protocols would need to be observed as with any other live import. The species is cultured in many other ornamental aquaculture facilities throughout the world and health certificated disease free specimens would be available.

10.5 Overall Risk to Australian Environment

The overall risk to the Australian environment is almost non-existent because the peacock gudgeon is from a very specialized habitat restricted to a small area of New Guinea with virtually no predators. It is a poor competitor with similar sized native Australian fishes. It has almost non-existent chance of establishing in a natural waterway and if this did occur there would be virtually no chance of the species to spreading to adjacent waterways. (not like guppies, swordtails and platys currently on the allowable list.)

I recommend that the peacock gudgeon be included on the 'List of Specimens Suitable for Live Import' in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

References

Allen, G. R.(1991) Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of New Guinea

Allen, G.R. Midgley, S.H. Allen, M. (2002) Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia

well that was a big read and a comprehensive application

to compile a document like that you either have to have a lot of free time and passion

or an interest in making lots of money from it to make it worthwhile doing

[Neon]

well that was a big read and a comprehensive application

to compile a document like that you either have to have a lot of free time and passion

or an interest in making lots of money from it to make it worthwhile doing

This probably wasn't your point LivingArt, but does it matter what the motive is?

I saw those fish in Melbourne.... they are really cool!!!

[Joshlikesfish]

what a clown.

LA, its my birthday soon, come be the clown at my party?

[Ymir]

LA, its my birthday soon, come be the clown at my party?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Would have been more smileys but it only allows 20

[livingart]

not my kind of clown

more this

has been known to scare smal children

[Joshlikesfish]

As long as you don't act like this clown

Anyway, back on topic LA before I get out my pointy stick! :lol:

[suphew]

This probably wasn't your point LivingArt, but does it matter what the motive is?

I saw those fish in Melbourne.... they are really cool!!!

As far as I know Reef is the only one that has managed to get new fish added to the list in recent year's (happy to be corrected if I'm wrong). Obversely this is the sort of work that is required to get stuff added, good on him for doing the huge amount of work involved and good on him for showing/helping others how it's done so we can get more added.

Reef only imports salt water fish, since Tateurndina ocellicauda are fresh water I'm not really sure how money could have been a motivation

[livingart]

Reef only imports salt water fish, since Tateurndina ocellicauda are fresh water I'm not really sure how money could have been a motivation

i didn't realise reef had put that application together

he could do the same for species into nz and submit to the fish committee

[alanmin4304]

As well as getting new fish added to the approved list it would be rather nice if some of the fish on the approved list which are not imported, actually were brought in by an importer. Perhaps in the meantime Reef might like to do that.

[suphew]

i didn't realise reef had put that application together

he could do the same for species into nz and submit to the fish committee

Reef posted it, I have no idea if he actually wrote it, but since he has had fish approved even if he didn't write it he knows what is required and would be showing this as an example. Given how governmental agency's work I'm surprised at how short it is.

What would be the point in reef doing all the paper work then handing it to the fish committee to submit? It just another layer of paper shuffling, and looking at the posts that have been directed at him in this thread would you really expect him to put in all that work and then just hand it over?

As well as getting new fish added to the approved list it would be rather nice if some of the fish on the approved list which are not imported, actually were brought in by an importer. Perhaps in the meantime Reef might like to do that.

As I said Reef only imports salt water fish, I'd assume it's fresh water you would be interested in. Reef imports as a side line business because he is interested in the hobby and since he needs to work full time besides importing fish I assume doesn't make huge amounts of money from it. You would be better to hassle the large importers that do do it for a living yet have no interest in helping at a hobbyist level like Reef does.

If half as much effort was put into getting some fish added to the list as is put into pointing the finger at Reef and bickering, the fish committee might have managed to make some gains by now.

[Jennifer]

While I am not a moderator, I have absolutely no tolerance for personal attacks on this forum. Let me make this perfectly clear, the personal opinions of the moderators on this forum do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federation as a whole so do not make assumptions about what the Federation is or is not supporting in terms of actions of particular forum users, or their agendas. None of you are on, or have expressed interest in helping on, the fish committee, nor are you privy to the details of work carried out by the committee so you have absolutely no right to pass judgement. Discuss the issues all you want, but keep the personal attacks out of it and get the facts straight about the Federation that is hosting this forum for everybody's use.

[Stevo165]

Hi there guy's hopefully i can provide a little bit of help, iv been in discussion with maf down here in Dunedin and have a copy of the latest list of species allowed to be imported into New Zealand including high risk species and treatments required to be administered to these species, also i have a copy of the fastest and cheapest form used for getting a species on the allowed list, I couldn't think of anywhere better to put these than here, i hope these will be of some help to people involved in this project.

these are excerpts from the email i recived.

The import standard for fish is under review, but it does include the current allowed fish:

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/biosec/consult/draft-ihs-fisornic.all-15-11-2010.pdf

If you want to have new species added to the list, this is done through ERMA, and they advise the best approach is through a rapid assessment. The offspring would be able to be sold if you passed this process. Details can be found here, and ring ERMA or look on their website for more information:

http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/publications/form-no-125.doc

Cheers Stephen

[reef]

it would be rather nice if some of the fish on the approved list which are not imported, actually were brought in by an importer.

It is not all that simple, Some of the fish are hard to get or not many fish can be purchased from where they come from , so it makes them far to expensive due to freight cost etc.

Are far as adding fish lots of info is required , not just talking about it . however it can be done ,but needs people who are committed not hobbyist that think it is all about importers making big bucks.

Many of the high risk fish will potential not imported anymore as it is far to expensive to get them tested and then end up destroying them, so new fish need to be added.

We need ERMA approval then MAF , MAF does not want applications from everyone as it is easier to deal with a few people.

This is what MAF want

To add new fish now is a 'minor amendment' - this means it gets prioritised against all the other small bits of work we have been requested to do. We discussed doing this say annually - you putting together any fish you had ERMA approval for and submitting them together. I will put it on our minor work programme now.

[hovmoller]

Right, so we had the executive meeting on Saturday and I wanted to let everyone know that the official word from the FNZAS is that we have every intention of supporting an effort to get fish on the fish list.

Stay tuned for some exciting times to come!

Can I ask how this project is going?

Or is it still too soon... :spop:

[hovmoller]

Can I ask how this project is going?

Or is it still too soon... :spop:

Hmm.. guess there are not many people online at 3am... :yaw1:

[Jennifer]

The fish committee is having another meeting this coming week. We are working on several projects and will be putting forth our proposal to the executive by the end of the month. 8)

[reef]

We are working on several projects and will be putting forth our proposal to the executive by the end of the month

Which end of the month , is it july 2015?

[Adrienne]

Which end of the month , is it july 2015?

If you became a FNZAS member you would know exactly what was going on. If it was July 2015 would it matter? To me not an iota because it still is happening. Good things take time and they need to be done properly.

Its very easy to sit back and criticise in ignorance but another matter to actually come forward and help the few who are working on this.

Just a reminder - The FNZAS is manned by volunteers who have families and full time jobs, not to mention a number of the executive who have suffered badly in the Christchurch Earthquakes and are still living with constant reminders of them.

My understanding is that you have experience in these matters. Perhaps working together would be of great benefit.

[phoenix44]

Alois, why don't you team up with them or offer your knowledge and expertise in this matter? I know it would definitely be appreciated. And any good relationship is mutally beneficial...