The fishes occurring in the main tidal inlet to a typical saltmarsh situated in southern Moreton Bay were studied from January to December 1984. The aim of the study was to determine the type of fishes and their feeding habits within the inlet, particularly for species of economic importance. Sampling was conducted at night on the full and new moon phases, and during the day on the full moon phase. A total of 19 species were recorded from the inlet, of which 11 are of economic importance. Six species were considered common. Most fish which entered the inlet were juveniles. The diversity of the fish assemblage from the inlet was low when compared with findings of other studies conducted in Australian subtidal mangrove areas. Die! differences in the size offish entering the inlet were recorded for several species. Two mark-recapture programmes were conducted to investigate short-term utilization of the saltmarsh by fishes. Recapture rates indicated that individuals of some species regularly utilized the saltmarsh. The most abundant species from the inlet were predominantly benthic feeders although one species fed on plankton. Terrestrial foods formed an important part of the diet of some fishes. The inlet serves as a feeding area for certain species although it is unlikely that these species rely exclusively upon the area. Future management of saltmarsh areas should include protection and maintenance of tidal inlets wherever possible.

SynopsisThe fishes occurring in a subtropical Australian saltmarsh were studied from January to December 1984 to determine the seasonal abundance and feeding of the most common species. Wide variations in pool water levels and salinity were recorded. Eight species of fish were collected, four of which are of economic importance to fisheries. Three taxa, Gambusia affinis, Pseudomugil signifer, and gobiids predominated in terms of abundance and occurrence. The abundance of fishes fluctuated markedly on a seasonal basis with few fish being taken in winter and spring (June-November) when pool water levels were low. Diets of the most common species were similar with terrestrial foods forming an important component of all diets. Feeding activity was highest in summer (December to February) when mosquito larvae, copepods, and larval coleopterans formed a large proportion of the fishes' diets. Results from the present study indicate that fish important to commercial fisheries rarely utilise the upper littoral saltmarsh habitat and that resident fishes are unlikely to effectively control mosquito larvae in saltmarsh.

The invasion of glass-eels Anguillu species into coastal waters of Eastern Australia is described from the results of sampling as well as a review of pertinent literature. A . reinhardtii has a yearround invasion in tropical and sub-tropical waters while A. uustralis has a similar invasion pattern in temperate waters. The former species is most abundant in latitudes 2 0 -3 4 O S with the 1att)rr species most abundant in latitudes 35-44O S. A . australis glass-eels were longer and heavier than those of A . reinhardtii. The recorded distribution and abundance patterns are discussed in terms of rainfall regimes and the movements of inshore currents.