Australia
Checklist of Endemic Freshwater Fish Species
This list of freshwater fish species found exclusively in Australia is based on the taxonomy used in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes (2023). For further details on possible inaccuracies in the list see Sources & Caveats.
Fricke, R., Eschmeyer, W. N. & Van der Laan, R. (eds) 2023 Catalog of Fishes: Genera, Species, References. Version downloaded 9 February 2023 https://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp
The current version can be accessed here
Sillago flindersi
(Acanthuriformes Sillaginidae) Eastern School
Whiting
Gymnothorax austrinus
(Anguilliformes Muraenidae) Southern Moray
Atherinosoma microstoma
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Smallmouth Hardyhead
Craterocephalus amniculus
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Darling Hardyhead
Craterocephalus centralis
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Finke Hardyhead
Craterocephalus cuneiceps
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Deep Hardyhead
Craterocephalus
dalhousiensis (Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Dalhousie
Hardyhead
Craterocephalus eyresii
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Lake Eyre Hardyhead
Craterocephalus
fluviatilis (Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Murray
Hardyhead
Craterocephalus fulvus
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Unspeckled Hardyhead
Craterocephalus gloveri
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Glover's Hardyhead
Craterocephalus helenae
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Drysdale Hardyhead
Craterocephalus lentiginosus
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Freckled Hardyhead
Craterocephalus marianae
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Mariana's Hardyhead
Craterocephalus marjoriae
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Marjorie's Hardyhead
Craterocephalus
pauciradiatus (Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Few-ray
Hardyhead
Craterocephalus
stercusmuscarum (Atheriniformes
Atherinidae) Fly-speckled Hardyhead
Craterocephalus stramineus
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Blackmast
Leptatherina wallacei
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Western Hardyhead
Cairnsichthys bitaeniatus
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Daintree
Rainbowfish
Cairnsichthys
rhombosomoides (Atheriniformes
Melanotaeniidae) Cairns Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia australis
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Western
Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia duboulayi
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Crimsonspotted
Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia eachamensis
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Lake Eacham
Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia exquisita
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Exquisite
Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia fluviatilis
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Murray River
Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia gracilis
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Slender
Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia maccullochi
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) McCulloch's
Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia nigrans
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Black-banded
Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia pygmaea
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Pygmy
Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia splendida
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Eastern
Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia trifasciata
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Banded
Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia utcheensis
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Utchee
Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia wilsoni
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Little
Rainbowfish
Rhadinocentrus ornatus
(Atheriniformes Melanotaeniidae) Ornate
Rainbowfish
Pseudomugil mellis
(Atheriniformes Pseudomugilidae) Honey Blue Eye
Pseudomugil signifer
(Atheriniformes Pseudomugilidae) Pacific Blue Eye
Scaturiginichthys
vermeilipinnis (Atheriniformes
Pseudomugilidae) Redfin Blue Eye
Hyporhamphus regularis
(Beloniformes Hemiramphidae) River Garfish
Brachirus salinarum
(Carangiformes Soleidae) Saltpan Sole
Brachirus selheimi
(Carangiformes Soleidae) Freshwater Sole
Leptachirus darwinensis
(Carangiformes Soleidae) Darwin Sole
Leptachirus triramus
(Carangiformes Soleidae) Kimberley Sole
Synclidopus hogani
(Carangiformes Soleidae) Hogan's Sole
Toxotes kimberleyensis
(Carangiformes Toxotidae) Kimberley Archerfish
Percalates colonorum
(Centrarchiformes Percalatidae) Estuary Perch
Percalates novemaculeatus
(Centrarchiformes Percalatidae) Australian Bass
Bostockia porosa
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Nightfish
Gadopsis bispinosa
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Twospined
Blackfish
Gadopsis gracilis
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Yarra Blackfish
Gadopsis marmorata
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) River Blackfish
Maccullochella ikei
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Eastern
Freshwater Cod
Maccullochella
macquariensis (Centrarchiformes
Percichthyidae) Trout Cod
Maccullochella mariensis
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Mary River Cod
Maccullochella peelii
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Murray Cod
Macquaria ambigua
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Golden Perch
Macquaria australasica
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Macquarie Perch
Macquaria wujalwujalensis
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Bloomfield River
Cod
Nannatherina balstoni
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Balston's Pygmy
Perch
Nannoperca australis
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Tasmanian Pygmy
Perch
Nannoperca obscura
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Yarra Pygmy Perch
Nannoperca oxleyana
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Oxleyan Pygmy
Perch
Nannoperca pygmaea
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Little Pygmy
Perch
Nannoperca variegata
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Ewens Pygmy Perch
Nannoperca vittata
(Centrarchiformes Percichthyidae) Western Pygmy
Perch
Amniataba percoides
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Barred Grunter
Bidyanus bidyanus
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Silver Perch
Bidyanus welchi
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Welch's Grunter
Hannia greenwayi
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Greenway's Grunter
Hannia wintoni
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Winton's Grunter
Hephaestus carbo
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Coal Grunter
Hephaestus epirrhinos
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Longnose Sooty
Grunter
Hephaestus fuliginosus
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Sooty Grunter
Hephaestus jenkinsi
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Western Sooty
Grunter
Hephaestus tulliensis
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Khaki Grunter
Leiopotherapon aheneus
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Fortescue Grunter
Leiopotherapon macrolepis
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Kimberley Spangled
Perch
Leiopotherapon unicolor
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Spangled Perch
Pingalla gilberti
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Gilbert's Grunter
Pingalla midgleyi
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Midgley's Grunter
Scortum barcoo
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Barcoo Grunter
Scortum hillii
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Leathery Grunter
Scortum neili (Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Angalarri Grunter
Scortum ogilbyi
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Gulf Grunter
Scortum parviceps
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Smallhead Grunter
Syncomistes bonapartensis
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Lake Bonaparte
Grunter
Syncomistes butleri
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Sharpnose Grunter
Syncomistes carcharus
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Sharp-toothed
Grunter
Syncomistes dilliensis
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Dillie Grunter
Syncomistes holsworthi
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Holsworth's Grunter
Syncomistes kimberleyensis
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Kimberley Grunter
Syncomistes moranensis
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Moran Grunter
Syncomistes rastellus
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Drysdale Grunter
Syncomistes trigonicus
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Longnose Grunter
Syncomistes versicolor
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Many-colored
Grunter
Syncomistes wunambal
(Centrarchiformes Terapontidae) Wunambal Grunter
Ambassis agassizii
(Cichliformes Ambassidae) Agassiz's Perchlet
Ambassis elongata
(Cichliformes Ambassidae) Elongate Glassfish
Ambassis jacksoniensis
(Cichliformes Ambassidae) Port Jackson Glassfish
Ambassis marianus
(Cichliformes Ambassidae) Estuary Glassfish
Potamalosa richmondia
(Clupeiformes Clupeidae) Australian Freshwater
Herring
Galaxias aequipinnis
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) East Gippsland
Galaxias
Galaxias arcanus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Riffle Galaxias
Galaxias auratus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Golden Galaxias
Galaxias brevissimus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Short-tail Galaxias
Galaxias fontanus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Swan Galaxias
Galaxias fuscus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Barred Galaxias
Galaxias gunaikurnai
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Shaw Galaxias
Galaxias johnstoni
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Clarence Galaxias
Galaxias lanceolatus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Tapered Galaxias
Galaxias longifundus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) West Gippsland
Galaxias
Galaxias mcdowalli
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) McDowall's Galaxias
Galaxias mungadhan
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Dargo Galaxias
Galaxias niger
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Black Galaxias
Galaxias occidentalis
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Western Galaxias
Galaxias olidus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Mountain Galaxias
Galaxias oliros
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Obscure Galaxias
Galaxias ornatus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Ornate Galaxias
Galaxias parvus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Swamp Galaxias
Galaxias pedderensis
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Pedder Galaxias
Galaxias rostratus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Flathead Galaxias
Galaxias supremus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Kosciuszko Galaxias
Galaxias tantangara
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Stocky Galaxias
Galaxias tanycephalus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Saddled Galaxias
Galaxias terenasus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Roundsnout Galaxias
Galaxias truttaceus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Spotted Galaxias
Galaxiella munda
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Western Dwarf
Galaxias
Galaxiella nigrostriata
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Blackstriped Dwarf
Galaxias
Galaxiella pusilla
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Eastern Dwarf
Galaxias
Galaxiella toourtkoourt
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Little Galaxias
Lovettia sealii
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Tasmanian Whitebait
Neochanna cleaveri
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Tasmanian Mudfish
Paragalaxias dissimilis
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Shannon Galaxias
Paragalaxias eleotroides
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Great Lake Galaxias
Paragalaxias julianus
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Julian Galaxias
Paragalaxias mesotes
(Galaxiiformes Galaxiidae) Arthurs Galaxias
Gobiomorphus australis
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Striped Gudgeon
Gobiomorphus coxii
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Cox's Gudgeon
Hypseleotris acropinna
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Cryptic Carp Gudgeon
Hypseleotris aurea
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Golden Gudgeon
Hypseleotris barrawayi
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Katherine River
Gudgeon
Hypseleotris bucephala
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Boofhead Carp Gudgeon
Hypseleotris ejuncida
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Slender Gudgeon
Hypseleotris galii
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Firetail Gudgeon
Hypseleotris garawudjirri + (Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Bachsten Gudgeon
Hypseleotris gymnocephala
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Bald Carp Gudgeon
Hypseleotris hutchinsi
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Mitchell Gudgeon
Hypseleotris
kimberleyensis (Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Barnett
River Gudgeon
Hypseleotris klunzingeri
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Western Carp Gudgeon
Hypseleotris maranda + (Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Roe River Gudgeon
Hypseleotris moolooboolaensis
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Mary Carp Gudgeon
Hypseleotris notata
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Drysdale Gudgeon
Hypseleotris regalis
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Regent Carp Gudgeon
Hypseleotris wunduwala + (Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Carson River Gudgeon
Milyeringa justitia
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Barrow Cave Gudgeon
Milyeringa veritas
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Cave Gudgeon
Mogurnda adspersa
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Southern
Purple-spotted Gudgeon
Mogurnda clivicola
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Flinders Ranges
Mogurnda
Mogurnda larapintae
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Desert Mogurnda
Mogurnda oligolepis
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Kimberley Mogurnda
Mogurnda thermophila
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Dalhousie Mogurnda
Oxyeleotris selheimi
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Black-banded Gudgeon
Philypnodon grandiceps
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Flathead Gudgeon
Philypnodon macrostomus
(Gobiiformes Eleotridae) Dwarf Flathead
Gudgeon
Afurcagobius suppositus
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Southwestern Goby
Afurcagobius tamarensis
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Tamar Goby
Chlamydogobius eremius
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Desert Goby
Chlamydogobius gloveri
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Dalhousie Goby
Chlamydogobius japalpa
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Finke Goby
Chlamydogobius micropterus
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Elizabeth Springs Goby
Chlamydogobius ranunculus
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Tadpole Goby
Chlamydogobius squamigenus
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Edgbaston Goby
Egglestonichthys
ulbubunitj (Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Threadfin
Goby
Glossogobius
bellendenensis (Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Mulgrave
Goby
Mugilogobius platynotus
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Flatback Mangrove Goby
Mugilogobius rivulus
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Drain Mangrove Goby
Pseudogobius aquilonius
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Northern Snubnose Goby
Pseudogobius cinctus
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Banded Snubnose Goby
Pseudogobius eos
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Eastern Bluespot Goby
Pseudogobius jeffi
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Jeff's Snubnose Goby
Pseudogobius olorum
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Bluespot Goby
Schismatogobius hoesei
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Scaleless Goby
Tasmanogobius lordi
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Lord's Tasmangoby
Pterocerdale insolita
(Gobiiformes Microdesmidae) Strange Wormfish
Foa yamba (Kurtiformes Apogonidae)
Yamba Cardinalfish
Glossamia gillii
(Kurtiformes Apogonidae)
Pseudamia nigra
(Kurtiformes Apogonidae) Estuary Cardinalfish
Lepidogalaxias
salamandroides (Lepidogalaxiformes
Lepidogalaxiidae) Salamanderfish
Gracilimugil argenteus
(Mugiliformes Mugilidae) Goldspot Mullet
Paramugil georgii
(Mugiliformes Mugilidae) Fantail Mullet
Trachystoma petardi
(Mugiliformes Mugilidae) Pinkeye Mullet
Prototroctes maraena
(Osmeriformes Retropinnidae) Australian
Grayling
Retropinna semoni
(Osmeriformes Retropinnidae) Australian Smelt
Retropinna tasmanica
(Osmeriformes Retropinnidae) Tasmanian Smelt
Retropinna victoriae
(Osmeriformes Retropinnidae) Southern Smelt
Scleropages leichardti
(Osteoglossiformes Osteoglossidae) Southern Saratoga
Pseudaphritis urvillii
(Perciformes Pseudaphritidae) Congolli
Notesthes robusta
(Perciformes Synanceiidae) Bullrout
Neoarius midgleyorum
(Siluriformes Ariidae) Silver Cobbler
Neoarius paucus
(Siluriformes Ariidae) Shovelnose Catfish
Anodontiglanis dahli
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Toothless Catfish
Neosiluroides cooperensis
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Cooper Creek Catfish
Neosilurus gloveri
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Dalhousie Catfish
Neosilurus hyrtlii
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Hyrtl's Catfish
Neosilurus mollespiculum
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Softspine Catfish
Neosilurus pseudospinosus
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Falsespine Catfish
Porochilus argenteus
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Silver Catfish
Porochilus rendahli
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Rendahl's Tandan
Tandanus bellingerensis
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Wilang
Tandanus bostocki
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Freshwater Cobbler
Tandanus tandanus
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Eel-tailed Catfish
Tandanus tropicanus
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Wet Tropics Tandan
Ophisternon candidum
(Synbranchiformes Synbranchidae) Blind Cave Eel
Hippichthys parvicarinatus
(Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae) Short-keel Pipefish
Marilyna pleurosticta
(Tetraodontiformes Tetraodontidae) Banded Toadfish
Tetractenos glaber
(Tetraodontiformes Tetraodontidae) Smooth Toadfish
Neoceratodus forsteri
(Ceratodontiformes Neoceratodontidae) Australian Lungfish
Urogymnus dalyensis
(Myliobatiformes Dasyatidae) Freshwater Whipray
Dipturus maugeanus
(Rajiformes Rajidae) Maugean Skate
Mordacia mordax
(Petromyzontiformes Mordaciidae) Shorthead
Lamprey
Mordacia praecox
(Petromyzontiformes Mordaciidae) Non-parasitic
Lamprey