Effects of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., on the distribution of some native fishes in three areas of southern Victoria

Abstract

Eight species of native fish and two of introduced fish were found during studies of the distribution of fishes in streams in three areas of southern Victoria; namely in the upper part of the catchment of the Yarra River, in the Otway Ranges, and on Wilsons Promontory. S. trutta does not occur on Wilsons Promontory, but does occur in the other two areas. Results provide circumstantial evidence that S. trutta has deleteriously affected the occurrence of Galaxias olidus and possibly G. brevipinnis. Some native fishes appear able to coexist with S. trutta.