Bush Notes
A Q U AT I C E X O T I C S
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Brisbane is host to a wide variety of native plants and animals.
Exotic species that are introduced to water environments will
threaten these native plants and animals.
Brisbane City Council is committed to addressing pest animal and
plant management. Your assistance is essential for the effective
management of these aquatic pests throughout Brisbane.
Aquatic pest facts
When released into the environment, exotic fish, aquatic weeds
and animals, and even the water they live in may:
• destroy native fauna by competing for food and habitat and
eating native fish and other animals
• spread diseases and parasites onto native aquatic plants and
animals and even livestock
• change natural habitats by choking our waterways, reducing
the numbers of native plants, fish and other animals and
increase the risk of flooding.
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What can you do?
• Use only native fish in outdoor ponds (eg. crimson spotted
rainbow fish, pacific blue eye, firetail gudgeon, eel-tailed
catfish). They are great for reducing mosquitos.
• Use only native plants in aquariums and outdoors ponds (eg.
hornwort, thin vale, water sprite).
• Aquarium plants and dead fish should be buried or put in the
rubbish.
• Release aquarium and pond water onto the garden never into
the toilet, stormwater drain or waterway.
• Learn how to identify aquatic weeds that inhabit your area and
get to know when and how to treat them. The earlier you detect
and tackle the problem the higher the likelihood of successfully
eradicating them.
• If you find aquatic weeds or exotic fish in a creek or dam, seek
expert advice on control options immediately.
What is Council doing?
Further information
• Surveying and treating new infestation early.
For more information about Council’s weed management
• Containing and maintaining established water weed infestations.
program, or to report weed infestations both on land and in water
• Providing information and assistance to residents on water
pests through local events or through support of community
call Council on (07) 3403 8888.
For further information about identifying fish or to report exotic
fish sightings contact the Department of Primary Industries and
groups involved in waterway rehabilitation projects.
Fisheries on 13 25 23.
• Assisting research projects relating to aquatic pests.
If you think you have seen a red-eared slider turtle, or have one
Have you seen these aquatic exotics?
in your possession, please contact the Department of Natural
Resources and Mines on 1800 999 367.
Exotic fish and other animals
Six species of exotic fish have established large populations in
Useful websites
Brisbane.
Aquatic weeds
• mosquitofish (or sometimes know as gambusia)
• National Weeds Strategy – aquatic weed identification
• swordtails
www.weeds.org.au
• platys
• Department of Natural Resources and Mines
• guppies
- Weed fact sheets
• tilapia including the Mozambique mouth-brooder
www.agriculture.gov.au
• carp eg. goldfish
• Department of Environment and Heritage
It is an offence under Fisheries Act 1994 to keep or sell the above
species and many other non-native fish in Queensland (see the
Department of Primary Industries website for further information
and a full list of these species).
– invasive plants
www.deh.gov.au
Exotic fish and other animals
• Department of Primary Industries – exotic fish species
Also, releasing the red-eared slider turtle into waterways could
destroy our native fish and turtle populations.
www.dpi.qld.gov.au
• Native Fish Australia
Aquatic weeds
www.nativefish.asn.au
Brisbane’s worst aquatic weeds are declared under the Land
• Department of Natural Resources and Mines
Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. It is
– Red-eared slider turtle
an offence to grow or sell these species. Penalties can apply to
www.nrm.qld.gov.au
landholders who do not take reasonable steps to control aquatic
weed infestations. Species include:
• salvinia
• senegal tea
• alligator weed
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• water hyacinth
• water lettuce
• cabomba.
Bush Notes are another way Council is growing a clean
and green Brisbane and achieving our vision for the city’s future -
Photos courtesy of:
1,3 and 4. Department of Natural Resources and Mines
2 and 5. Dr Alan Webb (Aqualogia)
Visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
or phone 07 3403 8888.
©K2005-01599