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The common blowfish or ‘blowie’ (also known as the weeping toadfish or banded toadfish) is abundant in estuaries and coastal waters throughout south-west Western Australia. It is often regarded as a nuisance because it gobbles bait, making it hard for fishers to catch other species of fish. Unlike true ‘pest’ species, blowfish are not actually an introduced species but are native to our marine environment. Blowfish play a vital role in marine ecosystems, keeping them clean by eating scrap, bait and berley.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 18.04.2023
Chordata is one of the better-known phyla in the animal kingdom, as it includes humans! This fact sheet explains the common characteristics of all chordates, as well as the main groups of chordates you are likely to find in aquatic environments across Western Australia.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 14.12.2022
Bryozoans are a diverse group of animals which boast several unique marine species. This fact sheet describes the characteristics and the three groups of bryozoans.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 14.12.2022
Algae are a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms that are the foundation of almost all marine food chains. This fact sheet briefly outlines the three main groups of algae (green, red, and brown algae) and describes how algae differs from plants. Check out the related resources below for further information.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 14.12.2022
Cnidarians are a diverse group of animals that all share a key feature: the presence of ‘nematocysts’, or stinging cells. This fact sheet describes the main characteristics and four classes of Cnidarians.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 14.12.2022
Classification is the organising or sorting of organisms into groups according to their characteristics.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 07.12.2022
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has the largest collection of fish ages in Australia. Our fisheries scientists have processed and aged 381,000 fish (December 2022), ranging from small estuarine to large marine species. This information is held in a database at the Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, which dates back to 1990 (and even earlier for some species!).
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 07.12.2022
Adaptations are specific characteristics of a living thing that increases the likelihood of its species survival in its habitat. Each species has their own suite of adaptations that can be broadly grouped into three categories: structural, functional, and behavioural. Many adaptations can be more than one type. For example, viviparous reproduction involves giving birth to live young. This involves the structural adaptation of a womb and may involve the behavioural adaptation of maternal care of young.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 03.08.2022
In southern Australia, the western blue groper is actually the largest carnivorous bony fish species found living on reefs, reaching a length of up to 1.7m and a weight of up to 40kg. Learn more about the biology of this fish in this fact sheet.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 22.06.2022
Thought to be the green mud crab for many years; it wasn't until 1998, that the brown mud crab was recognised as a distinct species.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 09.06.2022
The unusual-looking sawfish family are a type of ray and are therefore related to sharks . Found in both marine and freshwater, these predatory fish derive their name from their long snouts lines with sharp points. An identification and general information guide on Sawfish.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 09.06.2022
Mud crabs are prized by recreational fishers for their impressive size and delicious taste.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 09.06.2022
Cobbler or catfish as they are known outside Western Australia, are 'endemic' to Australia, meaning they're only found here. They live in the southern half of the country, in coastal and estuarine waters up to about 30 metres deep.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 09.06.2022
Black bream is one of the most important recreational and commercial fish species in the estuaries of south-Western Australia. A 'true' estuarine species, black bream complete their whole lifecycle within an estuary and are reliant on healthy rivers and estuaries for their survival.
To find out more, download this fact sheet.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 09.06.2022
The captivating potato cod is truly a giant of the fish kingdom. Its massive size and homebody nature draws divers who are looking for a story to tell about their underwater adventure.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 09.06.2022
Despite their huge size, whale sharks are docile, filter feeders that cruise the world's oceans looking for plankton.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 09.06.2022
This fact sheet covers information on the biology and ecology of the Baldchin groper.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 09.06.2022
In 2014 the Australian humpback dolphin was recognised as a separate species to the Indo-Pacific humpback.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 09.06.2022
The humphead Maori wrasse is easily recognisable, being over 2 metres long with a large hump on its head and big fleshy lips.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 09.06.2022
Hawksbill turtles are known to nest and feed at the Rowley Shoals which provides an oceanic refuge for these world travelers.
Resource type: Fact SheetLast updated: 09.06.2022
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