While most people associate diving in Australia with the renown Great Barrier Reef, there are aquatic treasures that await within its freshwater bodies as well. Here are just 5 colorful fish you’re likely to see on a freshwater dive in Australia.
Common Jollytail
The caves and sinkholes of Mount Gambier are popular freshwater dive sites of Australia, where the galaxias maculatus, or common jollytail, can be found. The belly, gill covers, and eyes of this small colorful freshwater trout may be silver or white, and the body can be grey-olive to amber in color with green to grey spots. The jollytail is one of the few fish found within Blue Lake within the Mount Gambier area.
Golden Pygmy Perch
The endangered golden pygmy perch, Nannoperca variegate, is found in both the Ewens and Piccaninnie ponds of the Mount Gambier complex. It has dark blotches and is bright green to olive on top with tan or brown sides. The belly is orange or white. The golden pygmy perch’s namesake is the distinguishable golden region on the crown and pectoral areas.
Southern Purple-Spotted Gudgeon
The southern purple-spotted gudgeon, Mogurnda adspersa, is a coastal Australian native which is small and sports a band of colored blotches from the head towards the tail. Another member of the rainbowfish family, the northern rainbowfish or Melanotaenia solata, is found in northern Australian freshwater.
Honey Blue-Eye
The Pseudomugil mellis, or honey blue-eye, is another colorful freshwater fish which is endemic to Australia. Divers in clear, tannin lakes and streams may spot this amber or honey colored fish. Males have iridescent blue cheeks and eyes and also unique black bands and white margins on their fins.
Spotted Scat
The spotted scat, Scatophagus argus, lives in freshwater when young before returning to brackish waters. They have a somewhat square body which can be green or ruby colored and is covered with large black spots.
