Source: ANGFA News, Issue 50, September 2013, pages 16–17. Authors: David L. Morgan, Stephen J. Beatty, Michael W. Klunzinger, Mark G. Allen, Quinton F. Burnham, 2011 edition, ISBN 978-0-9871644-0-7, Printsmart, 70pp, $10 + $2 postage. Reviewer: Ben Barrett. View original scan (PDF)

From aestivating Gondwanan relics to iridescent purple crayfish, the South-West is home to a unique array of freshwater fauna found nowhere else on Earth. Since Gerry and Mark Allen’s definitive work “A Field Guide to Inland Fishes of Western Australia” was published in 1982, there have been limited publications on these fascinating creatures.

However, the authors have rectified this, presenting a comprehensive field guide detailing each of these intriguing freshwater species, including several newly discovered species. Given the reclusive nature of some of the lesser known species, this field guide presents an opportunity to not only peruse our current understanding of these creatures, but to also view rare photos, particularly of the little known Engaewa crustaceans.

The opening section of the field guide details the freshwater fish of the South-West. From the widely distributed Western Pygmy Perch Nannoperca vittata, through to the galaxiids and the iconic Salamanderfish Lepidogalaxias salamandroides, each fish has their distribution and biology described in detail. Considerable attention is also paid to the conservation status of each species and current conservation efforts. Of particular interest is the vertical slot fishway designed to assist the dispersal of the critically endangered Trout Minnow Galaxias truttaceus. Invasive species are also discussed, including several recent infestations of tropical fish.

This follows onto perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this field guide, the section on freshwater crustaceans. The authors describe over a dozen species, including the Engaewa genus, some of which have yet to be formally classified. A clever identification key is also included, allowing the reader to differentiate between the subtle physiological nuances of each species.

An in-depth analysis of Carter’s Freshwater Mussel Westralunio carteri is then presented, including hitherto poorly described aspects of its life cycle.

The Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of South-Western Australia is an incredible resource and a worthwhile investment for anyone interested in the freshwater fauna of the South-West. The level of information the authors have included allows the book to go even further than its intended purpose of a field guide, becoming a valuable resource for amateur and professional naturalists alike.

You can purchase a copy of the field guide at http://sercul.org.au/ffp.html