Freshwater Fish Of The Daintree River

It is of little surprise that the Wet Tropics contains one of the richest and most diverse freshwater fish faunas on the Australian continent with about one third of Australia’s 190 or so species of endemic freshwater fishes having been recorded. However, it was thought that few were endemic, and only in recent years has extensive research been carried out on freshwater fishes from this area.

It now appears that several forms of Rainbowfish may be undescribed endemic species. Some are confined to small rainforest creeks where they are unable to move downstream because of waterfalls. Gobies are common throughout the area, but are often notoriously difficult to identify from each other. They usually lurk on the bottoms of flowing streams. Recent research has shown that there are probably numerous undescribed species of gobies in north-eastern Queensland.

Freshwater fish fauna range in size from the tiny Perchlets and Rainbowfish a few centimetres in length to the large carnivorous Barramundi which can grow to 1.8 metres and 60 kilograms in weight. The high altitude headwaters of streams are often devoid of fish. Here a variety of yabbies and crayfish may be found.

The Barramundi which is distributed throughout tropical Australia, is fairly common in the Wet Tropics with a good population in the Daintree River and nearby streams. It inhabits mostly the middle and lower reaches of streams as well as lagoons. A popular eating fish and prized by sport fishermen, it has an intriguing sex life. Each begins life as a male and later, between three and five years, changes its sex to become female!

There are many interesting fish to be found in the Daintree - Jungle Perch, Butterfish, Long Tom, Gudgeon, Blue-eye, Catfish, Freshwater Bream, Spangled Grunters and Mouth Almighty which has a voracious appetite for almost anything that moves - as long as it is smaller than itself! Archerfish are common. These remarkable fish can shoot a high pressure jet of water with exceptional accuracy, knocking an insect off a branch or leaf a metre or so above the surface.

Extract from "Daintree - Jewel of Tropical North Queensland" by Lloyd Nielsen, reproduced with kind permission.

Fishing In The Daintree

Casting a line in the Daintree River is not without its great rewards. Apart from the scenic beauty or the surrounding natural wildlife there are numerous species of fish that will put up a good fight to get the adrenalin going.

Floating along the Daintree in a hire boat or with a local fishing guide is the best way to experience this magnificent region. From lure fishing to fresh live bait, Mangrove Jack, Trevally and the illustrious Barramundi are some of the catch of the day found along the river.

The local in-shore reef and wrecks of the Daintree coast is also a great start in search of Spanish Mackerel, Tuna, Coral Trout, Nannygai or Reef Sharks. Gaze at the amazing views of Snapper Island and Cape Kimberley Beach while waiting for your first bite of the day.

Mudcrabs are also found around the mangrove swamps, a good start to the seafood feast.

On shore fishing is only recommended on the public wharf at the Daintree Village or at the ferry crossing due to crocodiles.

Fishing in the Daintree … there just isn’t anything better.

Credits: Dave Patterson - Daintree River Fishing and Photography Tours