ASFB Home > 2003 > Biological Invasions: Consequences for Parasites, Pathogens, Emerging Diseases, and Fisheries in the Marine Environment.

Utilisation of artificial aquatic macrophytes by small native fish and crustacean in a New South Wales lake.

Lake, Michael D,¹ Shirley, Michael J.¹ and Nolan, Andrew²

¹ Sinclair Knight Merz, 590 Orrong Road, Armadale VIC 3143
² Penrith Lakes Development Corporation, 1951 Castlereagh Rd, Crainebrook NSW 2749
Email: mlake@skm.com.au

A field experiment was carried out using artificial macrophytes in a gravel pit lake in Penrith Lakes System to determine how water depth affected habitat use by two small native fish species. The Penrith Lakes system is a series of conjoined lakes that have been formed as a result of the progressive rehabilitation of the Penrith Lakes sand and gravel quarry. Artificial Macrophyte Units (AMUs) and controls were set on the lakebed at two different depths, shallow (1 - 1.3 m) and deep (2.3 – 2.8 m). Fish sampling was carried out using small unbaited traps set directly on top of the AMUs and controls. Results obtained from the first two rounds of sampling indicate that the abundances of flathead gudgeon (Philypnodon grandiceps), carp gudgeon (Hypseleotris spp.) and shrimp (Paratya spp.) were higher in the AMUs than in the controls. The abundance of shrimp was higher in the shallow habitats, but water depth had no significant effect on the abundances of the two fish species. Sampling will continue to identify temporal patterns in habitat use. The findings of this investigation have significant implications for the future management of submerged aquatic macrophyte communities in the Penrith Lakes System.

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