Fishes from fresh and brackish waters of islands in Torres Strait, far north Queensland

Abstract

Until recently the freshwater fish fauna of Torres Strait was virtually unknown. This paper reports on museum collections of fishes obtained in the area prior to 2005 and on several collections made in the period 2005-2011 from fresh and brackish waters on seven islands in the region: Boigu, Saibai, Mabuiag, Badu, Mua, Thursday and Horn. Eight of the fifteen freshwater fish species reported are new records for the Torres Strait Islands. Information on other aquatic fauna is presented, and the potential threats of introduced (exotic) species and sea-level rise associated with climate change, are considered.