The Australian Museum Lord Howe Island Expedition 2017—freshwater fishes
Abstract
Historically, three species of freshwater fishes have been recorded from Lord Howe Island, Longfin Eel, Anguilla reinhardtii, Southern Shortfin Eel, Anguilla australis and Common Galaxias, Galaxias maculatus. Both eel species are widespread throughout the island. The Common Galaxias was collected in 1889 (Australian Museum record) and 1962 (Allen et al., 1976). In 1989, Common Galaxias was recorded in the lagoon seaward of Soldiers Creek by Ian Hutton (pers. comm.). During the Australian Museum Expedition in 2017, both eel species were recorded however Common Galaxias were not found. Sampling for fishes was conducted in all known freshwater creeks and drainages on the Island, except for Erskine Valley and an unnamed creek on the eastern side of Mt Lidgbird.