Gadopsis bispinosa (Two-Spined Blackfish)

Gadopsis bispinosa (Two-spined Blackfish)  

Family: Percichthyidae (Temperate Perch)  

Status: Native.  

Size: Medium sized species, maximum total length 300- mm, but generally smaller (200mm).  

Description: A relatively large head with rounded snout, long dorsal fin and single pelvic rays, rounded tail and blotched giraffe spot patterning may have white fin edges.   

Location: Species occurs in the Upper Murray, Goulburn and Murrumbidgee Catchments,  including the lower reaches of the Swampy Plains, Tooma and Geehi Rivers; Upper Tumut system, including the lower reaches of the Goobarragandra River; and Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment in the Murrumbidgee River between Yaouk and Cooma Goodradigbee River; and in Cotter River catchment upstream of the Cotter Dam.

Habitat: Restricted to cool, clear, upland or montane streams with abundant in stream cover, usually in the form of boulders and cobble. Nocturnally active species, solitary. Juveniles often found in large groups.