The Action Plan for Australian freshwater fishes
R. Wager and P. Jackson
Environment Australia, June 1993
ISBN 0 6421 6818 0
Recovery outlines (continued)
Species recovery outline: Ewen's Pygmy Perch
Family: Nannopercidae
Scientific name: Nannoperca variegata
English names: Ewen's Pygmy Perch, Variegated Pygmy Perch
Species taxonomic status: Formally described by Kuiter and Allen, 1986.
Species survival status:
- Action plan status: Vulnerable.
- Australian Society for Fish Biology status: Vulnerable.
- Proposed new IUCN criteria status: Vulnerable (altered habitat, interaction with introduced species).
Former distribution: Unknown. Species only described in 1986.
Current distribution: Only known from Ewen's Ponds near Mount Gambier, South Australia and from the Glenelg River drainage near Winnap, western Victoria.
Habitat: Prefers clear, flowing streams or ponds with abundant aquatic vegetation.
Reasons for decline: Populations in South Australia are not considered to have declined in abundance or range over last decade. Factors responsible for a decline of Victorian populations not well known.
- Most probable cause of decline likely to be generalised destruction of habitat including removal of aquatic and riparian vegetation and drainage of swamps.
- Interactions with introduced species may also be implicated in the decline:
- Aggression (fin-nipping, harassment) and predation of juveniles by gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki).
- Predation by redfin (Perca fluviatilis), brown trout (Salmo trutta) or rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is possible.
- Habitat destruction possibly through large populations of carp (Cyprinus carpio) destroying aquatic vegetation.
Conservation reserves on which species occurs: Ewen's Ponds Conservation Park (SA).
Other public lands on which species occurs: None.
Other land on which species occurs: Private land.
Is knowledge about species adequate for objectives and actions to be defined accurately? (If not provide list of additional studies required): No.
- Determine habitat requirements.
- Investigate potential threatening processes.
- Identify reproduction requirements.
Recovery objectives:
- Protect existing populations and habitat.
- Establish new populations in suitable habitat.
Management actions already initiated:
- Listed under schedule two of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.
- Preparation of a Recovery Plan outlining management proposals is being prepared with funding from the ANPWS Endangered Species Program.
Management actions required:
- Declaration of additional conservation reserves: Yes.
- Habitat management: Yes.
- Protection of Glenelg River drainage population habitats.
- Feral animal control: Yes.
- Investigation and control of introduced brown trout in Ewen's Ponds.
Investigation of introduced species including translocated golden perch populations in Glenelg River drainage.
- Translocation or re-establishment of populations: No.
- Captive breeding: Yes.
- Develop techniques for captive breeding.
- Other: No.
Organisations responsible for conservation of species:
- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Victoria.
- Department of Fisheries, South Australia.
- Department of Lands, South Australia.
Other organisations or individuals involved:
- Rudi Kuiter.
Can recovery plan be carried out with existing resources?: No.
- A joint Yarra and Ewen's pygmy perch study team is proposed. See Yarra pygmy perch for details.
Remarks:
- Australian Grayling may occur in Ewen's Ponds Conservation Reserve.
Before you download
Most publications are available as PDF files. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files.
If you are unable to access a publication, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window