The dwarf galaxias (Galaxiella pusilla) is a small bodied freshwater fish of national conservation significance from south-eastern Australia that typically occurs in slow flowing, well vegetated habitats such as wetlands, swamps billabongs and small streams. Across much of its range, including Melbourne, dwarf galaxias habitats have been progressively fragmented and degraded as agricultural and urban areas have intensified and expanded. The spread of invasive fish, particularly eastern gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki), is also likely to have contributed substantially to the decline of many dwarf galaxias populations.  

We provide an update on a major dwarf galaxias recovery project along an 18km reach of Dandenong Creek, Melbourne. The project commenced in 2013 and involves creating or improving 20 inter-connected floodplain habitats, as well as breeding and reintroduction of genetically suitable fish stock from multiple wild populations across the greater Melbourne region. An overview of the project objectives, habitat designs, fish stocking program and ongoing monitoring will be given. Plans to reintroduce nationally threatened Yarra pygmy perch (Nannoperca obscura) into the same habitats will be discussed as well. We also highlight where research has directly informed the project and links to current research that is expected to inform recovery efforts in the future.