Red-finned blue-eye
Common name: Red-finned blue-eye
Scientific name: Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis
Conservation status: The red-finned blue-eye is 'Endangered' in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and 'Endangered' nationally (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Description: The red-finned blue-eye is a small Pseudomugilid fish endemic to Edgbaston Springs in central western Queensland. The scientific name is a reference to the unique habitat (scaturginis is latin for bubbling spring or full of springs; ichthys, pertaining to a fish) and the red colouration on the margins of the dorsal and anal fins (vermeil - old French red or vermilion; pinnis, latin for fins). At present this is the only species in the genus and the only genus in the sub-family Scaturiginichthyinae.
Habitat and distribution: Red-finned blue-eyes are found in small artesian springs located on a spinifex plain within Mitchell grass country. The springs are shallow; average depth ranging from approximately 50-75mm. Grasses and a variety of plants grow throughout the springs. The water is clear, with pH 7.8-8.0, with a total hardness of approximately 150ppm and is well oxygenated. Water temperatures are apparently extremely variable. In May 1990 the temperatures varied from 7-28°C. Water temperatures as high as 36°C have been recorded. The temperatures throughout a spring are variable. During May 1991 at 7.00am water temperatures of 7°C to greater than 20°C were recorded in different parts of the spring. The blue-eyes were located in areas with a temperature greater than 16°C.
Former Distribution: Red-finned blue-eye may have occurred in artesian springs throughout the Lake Eyre Drainage Division. This species may have also occurred in artesian springs in the Gulf and North-east Drainage Divisions. At the time of discovery of red-finned blue-eyes, six populations in five springs were found. By July 1991 two populations had become extinct so that red-finned blue-eyes were known from only four springs.
Current Distribution: Red-finned blue-eyes are endemic to Queensland and are known from only six springs in the Edgbaston Spring Complex near Aramac, central Queensland. Edgbaston Springs are located within the Thomson River drainage in the Lake Eyre Drainage Division. It is possible that other populations may be discovered at Edgbaston or other spring complexes. As of June 1994, red-finned blue-eyes were distributed across six springs, their presence in one of these being due to a translocation.
Behaviour and life history: During spring, summer and autumn, and in winter during the day, red-finned blue-eyes may be distributed throughout all areas of a spring. Adults occur in areas of depth greater than approximately 10-15mm, while newly hatched fry and juveniles (less than 12mm total length) are usually found in areas less than 15mm deep. When approached red-finned blue-eyes form loose schools (similar to other Pseudomugilid species). Schools may comprise several hundred individuals. It is possible that schooling behaviour is a predator avoidance response. If undisturbed the schools disperse into smaller groups, which begin feeding and displaying.
Males defend a 'personal space' influenced by habitat. Males display at and spawn with any females encountered within this personal space. Courtship displays are of variable duration and involve male swimming around female with outspread fins. Pairs align side by side and the male can be observed shimmying - probably at the time of egg release and fertilisation. Eggs are released over substrate or onto submerged vegetation. Displays are observed in all months. Developing eggs have occasionally been found on the substrate. Newly hatched fry are observed in all months but more commonly during warmer months. In captivity spawning occurs above 20°C. Females usually produce 1-15 eggs per week, but over 33 per week have been reported. Eggs are spherical and opaque, 1.2-1.4mm diameter, and have filaments that attach to vegetation or substrate. At 28°C hatching occurs in 7-10 days. Fry are 4-5mm and begin feeding one day after hatching. Both sexes reach maturity in 6-10 weeks at approx 15mm total length.
Threatening processes: Threats to the red-finned blue-eye include land degradation by domestic and feral animals, competition with mosquito fish Gambusia holbrooki, physical alteration of the springs to increase the volume of water for stock, r educed habitat area and quality resulting from ponded pasture species and diminishing spring flows resulting from water extraction.
Recovery actions:
- Eradication of Gambusia holbrooki;
- Translocation and rehabilitation of populations;
- Eradicate ponded pasture species from the springs;
- Manage cattle grazing and control feral pigs so that damage is restricted to less than 10 percent of individual wetland;
- Monitor existing population numbers and studying the biology and ecology of the species;
- Control all bores affecting groundwater flows to the springs;
- Monitor groundwater flows to the springs.
Further information:
Fensham R., Fairfax R. and Wager R. (in prep). Draft Recovery Plan for the red-finned blue-eye Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis 2007 -2011. Report to the Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane.
Last updated: 05 September 2006