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Longnose Sooty Grunter (Hephaestus epirrhinos)

The longnose sooty grunter is a large freshwater fish with a distinctive elongated snout, known from a small area of the eastern Kimberley. It uses pools and channels in freshwater streams and rivers, so works affecting those waters or their banks warrant careful assessment. It is DBCA Priority 2, a DBCA priority category and not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 2.

Seasonal guidance

No breeding or activity months are recorded for this species. Schedule assessment and precautionary controls according to the works programme rather than assuming a seasonal period of low risk.

Breeding months: Not recorded.

Survey timing: No species-specific seasonal survey window is recorded.

The seasonal row is a general planning prompt, not evidence of species-specific seasonal activity.

  • Planning and survey: Planning window only. No species-specific activity or breeding months are known, so assess freshwater habitat and apply precautions whenever works are proposed.

Identification: Appearance and size

Identify the fish by its elongated snout and body colour, noting that juveniles look different from adults.

Adults are dark greenish-grey, blackish-brown or blackish-green, with broad dark scale margins and paler golden to bronze scale centres. The snout is long and slightly concave.

Juveniles are greenish, with irregular dark wavy markings on the upper body and around the tail base. The species is recorded to 42 cm standard length.

Identification: Similar species

Field characters for distinguishing this fish from similar species are not documented. Do not rely on colour alone for identification, particularly for juveniles.

Identification: Field signs

No species-specific indirect field signs are described. A visual observation or a suitably documented capture is the available direct evidence.

Distribution: Known range

The known range is a small part of the eastern Kimberley in Western Australia.

The species is endemic to the eastern Kimberley. Named records are from the Drysdale River, Palmoondoera Creek and King Edward River.

Atlas of Living Australia records show 95 Western Australian records at nine distinct 0.1-degree locations, spanning approximately 14.6 to 16 degrees south and 126 to 127 degrees east. Records outside Western Australia were excluded as likely errors.

Distribution: WA region and status

The DBCA list flags the Kimberley region and assigns Priority 2, described as poorly known and known from few locations, some on conservation lands. No national listing is recorded.

Habitat: Waterways

The species is associated with freshwater streams and river channels, including pools with rocky bottoms.

It inhabits small to large pools in slow-flowing freshwater streams and major river channels. Rocky bottoms are reported.

Habitat: Variation by size

Large individuals occur in large pools with deeper areas. Adults are also reported in slow-flowing rivers, and juveniles in shallow riffles and slower-flowing stretches.

Foraging habitat: Diet

The species feeds on animal prey, but detailed information on where and when it forages is not documented.

It is omnivorous, feeding mainly on crustaceans, insects and small fishes.

Foraging habitat: Foraging locations

Specific foraging microhabitats, feeding times and seasonal changes in diet are not documented. Avoid assuming that fish are absent from a pool or riffle because they are not immediately visible.

Breeding habitat: Reproductive information

Reproductive biology is poorly known, and no breeding months or specific spawning sites are recorded.

Little is known about reproduction. Demersal eggs guarded and fanned by the male parent are considered likely, but this has not been confirmed.

Breeding habitat: Breeding locations and timing

No specific spawning habitat, breeding season, egg numbers or timing are recorded. Treat suitable pools and channels as potentially important throughout the works planning period.

Sheltering habitat: Reported structure

Some records place fish near submerged or overhanging structure, but a specific shelter requirement has not been established.

Adults are reported near snags and overhanging vegetation, and in deeper sections of riffles. These are observations, not confirmed shelter requirements.

Sheltering habitat: Unrecorded details

Refuge use during disturbance, seasonal shelter changes and dependence on any particular kind of snag or bank cover are not documented.

Threats: Known information

Specific threats to this species have not been identified.

No species-specific threats are recorded. Priority 2 status reflects limited knowledge and few known locations, not a stated threat assessment.

Threats: Works precautions

As a precaution for works near the freshwater habitat described, avoid unnecessary disturbance of pools, river channels, rocky beds, snags and overhanging vegetation. Prevent sediment, contaminants and construction materials from entering waterways.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Survey timing and detectability are not documented for this species. Use habitat-focused, non-destructive methods and record the limits of each survey.

Check whether the work area or its downstream waters include eastern Kimberley streams, pools or river channels, and review existing records and waterway information. Seek advice from the relevant DBCA office where the species may occur.

Survey methodology: 2. Habitat inspection

Inspect accessible pools, slow-flowing reaches, deeper channel areas and riffles, including areas near snags and overhanging vegetation. Record water conditions, substrate, aquatic structure and the extent of the inspection.

Survey methodology: 3. Fish survey

Use qualified freshwater-fish surveyors and methods authorised for the site. Where appropriate, consider direct observation and permitted fish-sampling methods, minimising handling and disturbance. No species-specific survey method or detection probability has been established.

Survey methodology: 4. Reporting

Document survey effort, methods, locations, habitat coverage and any fish observations. Treat a non-detection as inconclusive where coverage or visibility was limited.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations: Water-associated habitat mentioned in profile

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

It inhabits small to large pools in slow-flowing freshwater streams and major river channels.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: WA.

Habitat use: general

Attribution gap: No sentence-level reference is attached to the original profile block. Review the profile bibliography; this candidate is not source-verified.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Define the work area

Plan works around connected freshwater habitat and resolve survey and approval needs before ground or in-stream disturbance begins.

Map pools, channels, riffles, rocky beds, snags and overhanging vegetation within and downstream of the proposed works. Consider how access, drainage and temporary works could affect connected waters.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Survey and approvals

Arrange a qualified ecologist to assess potential habitat and determine whether further fish surveys are warranted. Confirm applicable approvals and agency requirements before capture, handling, relocation or in-stream work.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Set controls

Mark no-go areas and establish measures to prevent sediment, spills, concrete washout and other pollutants entering waterways. Brief the crew on the fish's identification features and stop-work procedure.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Protect waterways

Keep disturbance out of freshwater habitat wherever practicable and respond promptly to fish observations or water-quality incidents.

Keep machinery, stockpiles and refuelling away from pools and channels. Avoid unnecessary removal of snags or overhanging vegetation and prevent sediment-laden runoff from reaching the water.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If a fish suspected to be this species is observed or captured, pause nearby work where safe, avoid unnecessary handling and contact the project ecologist. Record the location, photographs where feasible, and the surrounding habitat.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Manage water impacts

Do not dewater, block or divert a pool or channel without ecological review and all required approvals. If such work is unavoidable, require a site-specific plan prepared by qualified freshwater specialists.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Inspect and record

Check that controls have worked and address any ongoing effects on freshwater habitat.

Inspect affected waterways and downstream areas for erosion, sediment release, spills, debris or damage to aquatic structure. Record incidents, corrective actions and any fish observations.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Correct problems

Promptly contain and report pollution or erosion incidents under the site procedures and applicable requirements. Obtain ecological advice if water flow, pool condition or habitat structure has been altered.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Review outcomes

Have the project ecologist assess whether further monitoring or remedial action is needed. Do not treat a lack of observed fish after works as evidence that the habitat is unaffected.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore the site

Rehabilitation should restore the freshwater setting and avoid introducing new disturbance or contaminants.

Stabilise disturbed banks and exposed ground, manage runoff and prevent loose material from entering pools or channels. Use a site-specific rehabilitation design suited to local conditions.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Retain aquatic structure

Where consistent with the approved design, retain or restore natural channel and pool features, rocky substrate, snags and overhanging vegetation. No species-specific restoration prescription is available.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Monitor recovery

Check rehabilitation for erosion, sediment movement and continuing impacts to water flow or aquatic habitat. Seek freshwater ecological advice if recovery is poor.

Sources