The zombie fish (southern purple-spotted gudgeon) earned its nickname due to the fact it had been declared extinct in Victoria 27 years ago, before a 2019 find allowed Melbourne Aquarium to start a breeding program.
A native fish species declared locally extinct in Victoria 27 years ago is now calling Merrigum’s Dunyak Moira Fishing Ponds home.
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Goulburn Valley Water and Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club have partnered to provide a sanctuary for 370 southern purple-spotted gudgeon fish that have been bred at the aquarium in the past six years.
They were released at the Dunyak Moira Fishing Ponds, cementing the recreational fishing facility’s reputation as one of regional Victoria’s most innovative community assets.
Goulburn Valley Water managing director Steve Capewell said the release demonstrated the unique role the site played in conservation.
“Dunyak Moira is more than a fishing spot — it’s a place where conservation, recreation and community come together,” Dr Capewell said.
“The release of endangered species shows what can be achieved through collaboration and highlights the importance of protecting biodiversity for future generations.
“This project sets a benchmark for how we manage water assets for the benefit of people and the environment. It shows that even small sites can have a big impact when partners and communities work together.”
Merrigum Primary School students were part of the team that released 370 southern purple-spotted gudgeon into the fishing ponds at Dunyak Moira — alongside Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club members, Melbourne Aquarium staff, RiverConnect and Catchment Management Authority personnel.
Dunyak Moira is now home to not only the southern purple spotted-gudgeons — known as the ‘zombie fish’ due to the fact it appears to have come back from the dead — but also another endangered species, the southern pygmy perch.
The ponds provide ideal conditions for the fish, which will one day help repopulate waterways across Victoria. Another of the endangered species — the flathead galaxias — will join the site in coming months.
The effort was also in partnership with Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, North Central Catchment Management Authority, RiverConnect, Victorian Fisheries Authority and SEALIFE Melbourne Aquarium
There are now seven pontoons at the site, including a wheelchair-accessible option.
For more information about Dunyak Moira, including opening hours, facilities and fishing rules, visit gvwater.vic.gov/dunyak-moira
Goulburn Broken and North Central Catchment Management Authorities combined with SEALIFE Melbourne Aquarium staff, River Connect, Merrigum Primary School and Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club members to release the zombie fish into the Merrigum fishing ponds.
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