© Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia Full citation Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia: Volume 1 - Bony and Cartilaginous Fishes. Report for the South Australian Working Group for Marine Species of Conservation Concern. J. Baker (consultant); Science and Conservation Division, and Coast and Marine Conservation branches of S.A. Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH); Marine and Coastal Community Network of S.A. (MCCN), and Threatened Species Network (TSN). Web version published by Reef Watch, South Australia.

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Golden Roughy

Family Name:	Trachichthyidae
Scientific Name:	Aulotrachichthys pulsator Gomon and Kuiter, 1987 = Paratrachichthys pulsator
Recommended Status in S.A:	Rare E(i)
Rationale:  The species is included here because, to date, the Golden Roughy is known only from the type locality, Topgallant Island in South Australia. The Golden Roughy has been recorded only in a very specific habitat type (in caves near steep drop-offs, at 25m depth). The species may be considered rare, possibly endemic, and of limited geographical range, until future surveys indicate whether or not this species has a wider distribution.

Page Contents

Current Conservation Status

No listings known

Distribution

The Golden Roughy is known to date only from Topgallant Island in South Australia, the type locality where it was collected in 1982 (see Gomon and Kuiter, 1987; Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994; Eschmeyer, 1998; Froese and Pauly, 2007; Museum of Victoria records, South Australian Museum record, cited in OZCAM database, 2007). Apparently, no records have been reported since that time.

Habitat

So far, the species has been recorded only in caves that form part of a rocky reef system with steep drop-offs, at 25m depth (Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994; Kuiter, 1996a; Museum of Victoria records, cited in OZCAM database, 2007). The full depth range has not been recorded.

Notes on Biology

Maximum size is uncertain, due to lack of records; however Gomon et al. (1994) and Kuiter (1996a) reported that the Golden Roughy reaches a length of 8cm.
The species emits light (Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994), which is an unusual characteristic in shallow water fishes.

Vulnerable Characteristics of the Species

To date, the Golden Roughy has been found only at one locality, on the west coast of South Australia. The distribution may be more widespread; however until further survey information is available, it must be assumed that the species is possibly endemic to S.A., and has a small geographic range, a characteristic which increases the potential vulnerability of the species to population decline.
The Golden Roughy appears to be strongly reef-associated in relatively shallow coastal waters, a population characteristic that increases the vulnerability of such species to localised impacts.

Threatening Processes

Recreational fishers and divers occasionally visit Topgallant Island, but the species is not targeted by fishers, and any potential impacts from recreational activities are unknown. No other threatening processes are known.

Research Requirements

To date, the Golden Roughy is known only from one locality in South Australia. Surveys in shallow rocky reef habitats are required to further elucidate the distribution and relative abundance (or rarity) of this species.

Other Information

The Golden Roughy is a very cryptic, cave-dwelling species, and has strips of luminescent tissue. There is no doubt about the validity of this species (M. Gomon, Museum of Victoria, pers. comm., 2006).