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| The maximum length of Weatherloach is 20 cm in Australia,
but they can reach 25 cm elsewhere. |
Weatherloach are native to Europe and Asia and they were introduced
into Australia prior to 1984. They probably escaped from ponds or they
were released by people who have aquariums. Numbers of Weatherloach have
been recorded in various locations in Queensland, New South Wales, the
Australian Capital Territory and Victoria.
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IN THE PAST
Weatherloach were absent prior to their introduction into Australia
in the 1980s. |
TODAY
The distribution and
numbers of Weatherloach have increased rapidly since they were introduced
This is probably because it makes good bait, its ability to move overland
to new habitats,
and its tolerance of poor water quality. |
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| MOUNTAINS |
LAKES AND DAMS |
Weatherloach are found in mountain streams, on slopes and tablelands,
on the upper plains and in lakes and dams. They can live in water temperatures
of 2-30°C and have been recorded in hot springs that were 38°C.
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| SLOW MOVING WATERS |
AQUATIC PLANT BEDS |
| Weatherloach prefer still water over sandy or muddy bottoms
into which they burrow to escape predators.
They can move overland to new habitats and they can live in poorly-oxygenated
water by swallowing air and passing it through a hind gut. |
MATING
Male Weatherloach mate in
pairs, or several males mate with one female. The male wraps around the
female's body. Weatherloach are adults when they reach about 10 cm long. |
SPAWNING
Weatherloach spawn from
spring to autumn. They can spawn many times in a season. |
EGGS
Female Weatherloach can release 4,000-8,000 eggs over several
days during one spawning event. The eggs are 1-1.5 mm in diameter and
they are released onto aquatic plants or into mud. They can hatch in
less than two days. |
JUVENILES
There is no information is available on juvenile Weatherloach
in Australia. |
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| Weatherloach are bottom-feeding fish that eat both meat and plants.
They use a combination of touch and chemical clues to feed on insect
larvae, crustaceans and algae. |
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| Weatherloach can move over damp or dry land to set up colonies in new waters. It
is not believed to migrate to
spawn. |
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IN THE PAST
Weatherloach weren’t present before the early 1980s. |
TODAY
Weatherloach are not commercially fished. |
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IN THE PAST
Weatherloach were not present before the early 1980s, but the
species has been used as live bait since then. |
TODAY
Weatherloach are eaten in Asia, but they not targeted by fishers
in Australia. |
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LEGAL SIZES
There are no size limits on Weatherloach that can be caught.
This applies to all States of Australia. |
CATCH LIMITS
There are no limits on the number of Weatherloach that can
be caught each day. This applies to all States of Australia. |
CLOSED SEASONS
Weatherloach can be caught all year round in all States of
Australia. |
BAIT
Weatherloach are not targeted by fishers. This species is considered
a pest in most States and cannot be used as bait. |
| Weatherloach are used as live bait by fishers, but there are no known
other threats to this species. |
REMEDIES?
Weatherloach are not bred for stocking or
reared using aquaculture techniques
in Australia. However, they are eaten in Asia and have been imported to
the Philippines and Mexico for aquaculture. They are a popular aquarium
species but bringing them into Australia has been stopped since 1986. |
CONTROL PLANS
Because Weatherloach have been introduced to Australia relatively
recently, only a few studies have been conducted to examine what effects,
if any, they may have on aquatic habitats or native species
of fish.
By their very presence they have the potential to compete with native
species of fish for their food, habitats and spawning sites. The feeding
habits of Weatherloach suggest that they may also eat or disturb eggs
of native species of fish. More research is required before the impact
of Weatherloach on freshwater habitats
and species in the Murray-Darling Basin can be determined. There are
no control plans are currently in place for Weatherloach.
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