LITTLE GALAXIAS FOUND IN THE WEST BARWON RIVER FOR THE FIRST TIME

A tiny threatened fish has made a big splash in the Upper Barwon catchment, with Little Galaxias (Galaxiella toourtkoourt) recorded in the West Barwon River for the first time.

The discovery is an exciting milestone for Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA), Barwon Water and project partners working to better understand and protect native fish populations through the Barwon Flagship Waterway project.

The finding follows an environmental DNA (eDNA) detection by citizen scientists near Gerangamete in 2024. While the DNA evidence suggested Little Galaxias were present in the catchment, subsequent targeted fish surveys in 2024 and 2025 were unable to locate the species.

That changed in April 2026 when aquatic ecologists from Austral Ecology surveying macroinvertebrates unexpectedly captured a Little Galaxias in the West Barwon River. The result was later confirmed when researchers from the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) recorded a further three individuals during routine fish monitoring surveys in May and June.

Little Galaxias found during ARI monitoring

Corangamite CMA Senior Project Officer – Water Infrastructure Anthony Byrne, said the discovery was an encouraging result for native fish conservation in the catchment.

“Finding Little Galaxias in the West Barwon River for the first time is an exciting result and highlights the value of long-term monitoring.”

“What makes this discovery particularly rewarding is that it confirms an environmental DNA detection made by some passionate citizen scientists. It shows how community involvement can help us find and protect threatened species.”

Little Galaxias are listed as endangered in Victoria and are typically found in wetlands and slow-flowing waterways with dense aquatic vegetation. Their small size and preference for complex habitats can make them difficult to detect during traditional fish surveys.

The confirmation of Little Galaxias in the West Barwon River provides valuable information about the species' distribution.

Corangamite CMA and Barwon Water have jointly funded several years of fish surveys in the Barwon catchment through the Barwon Flagship Waterway project. The monitoring helps build a better understanding of fish populations, informs environmental water management, supports threatened species recovery and guides on-ground waterway restoration works.

The latest ARI survey results also painted a positive picture for native fish in the catchment, with native species making up around 77 per cent of fish recorded during general surveys and strong populations of Southern Pygmy Perch and Ornate Galaxias detected across the Upper Barwon.

Corangamite CMA will continue to monitor the newly discovered West Barwon population and assess opportunities to protect and enhance suitable habitat for the species as part of broader threatened fish recovery efforts.

The discovery demonstrates the value of combining emerging technologies such as eDNA with traditional field surveys and highlights how community involvement can contribute to important conservation outcomes.

The Mid to Upper Barwon River Fish Monitoring Report 2026, prepared by the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, is available here: Corangamite CMA Knowledge Base - Upper and Mid Barwon River Fish Monitoring Program Report 2026