The Mary Catchment Area is a biodiversity hotspot, home to unique aquatic species found nowhere else. This exhibit follows the Mary River's journey, transitioning from freshwater to brackish water, and finally to saltwater as it meets the sea.

Feature Highlights

fish swimming in water with its fins

Australian Lungfish

Dating back over 100 million years, this living fossil can be found in southeast Queensland.

It uses its modified swim bladder as a lung, allowing it to survive in oxygen-poor water by gulping air.

With fleshy fins resembling early limbs, it’s considered a key link between fish and land vertebrates. Remarkably, it can live over 100 years!

fish swimming

Banded Archerfish

A sharpshooter of the aquatic world, the banded archerfish is found in mangroves and estuaries.

Known for its precision, it spits jets of water to knock insects off branches, sometimes leaping to catch prey directly.

This unique hunting technique makes it one of the most fascinating fish to observe in action.

rainbow colored fish in water

Rainbowfish

Small, vibrant freshwater fish native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands, rainbowfish are known for their iridescent scales that shimmer in changing light, and are a favourite among aquarists.

Boeseman's rainbowfish display stunning blue-to-orange gradients, Parkinson’s rainbowfish feature bold yellow or orange streaks, and the red rainbowfish, native to Indonesia, showcases a striking crimson hue.

Our Australian Lungfishes

Boola

Boola

Like an underwater puppy, “Boola” is affectionate towards aquarists, and a lover of belly and head rubs.

Distinguishing Feature(s): ‘H’ pattern and a big dark spot on its head.

Bara

Bara

Cheeky and interactive, “Bara” loves waving its flippers (pectoral fins), especially during aquarists’ morning checks.

Distinguishing Feature(s): Mole on the left side of its mouth (lower jaw).

Bob

Bob

Bob may be clumsy, but it is a patient fish, allowing the other lungfish to feed first while calmly waiting its turn.

Distinguishing Feature(s): Tiny spot on its head.

Burn

Burn

Simply chill, “Burn” loves to rest and relax at the bottom of its tank, immersed in its own world.

Distinguishing Feature(s): Large head and white lip. Burn is also our biggest, longest, and darkest Australian lungfish.

Animals

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