We have successfully bred tapered and Yalmy galaxias for the first time ever in captivity and West Gippsland galaxias for the first time in the Conservation Hatchery. Larvae of tapered and West Gippsland galaxias are now feeding and growing fast, while the Yalmy galaxias eggs are expected to hatch shortly.
We now have several batches of fertilised eggs on hand for high-high altitude species Moroka and McDowall’s galaxias following stripping in October, building on our success of breeding both species in the Conservation Hatchery for the first time in 2024. Last year’s fry are nearly 12 months old and samples are already showing some males to be mature.
Repeating the success of our six month light and temperature trial, Glenelg freshwater mussels have produced glochidia in a 12 month trial indicating these mussels mature and breed in both normal and shortened cycles. Glochidia inoculation trials are underway using different sized hosts from eight species of fish. Juvenile mussels have been recovered from five host species, the most successful being riffle galaxias, and are being reared in a range of systems.
Following on from our first successful spawning of river blackfish in 2024, we have had successful spawning’s from two batches of broodstock received from the Grampians and Wimmera regions. We are now waiting for the recently hatched fry to use up their egg yolks and begin feeding on artemia. Southern purple-spotted gudgeon bred at the hatchery are scheduled to be released in November and December 2025 across multiple sites around the state in collaboration with Catchment Management Authorities and Traditional owners.
