MARINE PEST IDENTIFICATION GUIDE - fish.wa.gov.au

MARINE PESTIDENTIFICATION

GUIDE

KEEP MARINE PESTSOUT OF AUSTRALIAN WATERS

MARINE PEST:

Aquarium CaulerpaCaulerpa taxifolia

Key features• Flattened2Dfronds• Pinnulesupwardcurving• Pinnulesattachdirectly

oppositeoneanother• Upto15cmlong

(>60cmindeepwater)

Habitat• Upto100mdepth;exposed&

shelteredestuaries,coastallagoons&bays

• Rock,sand,mud&seagrassbeds

Impacts• Overgrowsnativehabitat&

canestablishvastbedsonsoftsediment,degradingfishhabitat

• Tanglesinnets&anchors

Known locations• Nativeinsubtropicaltotropical

AustraliafromPortDenison,WAtoSouthport,QLD

• IntroducedtoPortRiver&NorthHavenMarinaSA;14coastallakesandestuariesinNSW(seewww.dpi.nsw.gov.auforallcurrentlocations).

10 cm

pinnules

Likely to establish

Native distribution

See last page for full details on how to report an aquatic pest or disease.

Caulerpa scalpelliformisKey Features•Pinnulesattachalternately,not

opposite•Frondsto20cmlong

Habitat •Primarilyexposedrockyreefbut

alsosand,mudandseagrassbeds

•To36mdepth

Known Locations•JervisBayNSWtoWhitford

BeachWA;Tas

Caulerpa distichophyllaKey Features•Shortpinnulesattachopposite,

closelyspacedalongmidrib•Frondsto15cmlong

Habitat •Softsubstrateandreefin

coastalareas,upto7mdepth

Known Locations•WAonly:DongarasoundtoKing

GeorgeSound

Caulerpa cupressoidesKey Features•Shortpinnules,attachopposite,

widelyspacedalongmidrib

Habitat •Soft/hardsubstrates;coastal

areas

Known Locations•HoutmanAbrolhos,WA,around

northernAustraliatoLordHoweIsland,NSW.

Photograph creditsThis side: All images provided by John Huisman, Murdoch University, WAReverse side: Alan Millar, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney (bottom left); Tim Glasby, NSW Dept. Primary Industries (all other images)

What you can do• Inspect&cleanniche

areas&antifoulyourvesselregularly

• Clean&dryequipmentbeforetransporting&usinginadifferentlocation

• Checkanchors,trailors&otherequipmentfortangledalgae–Caulerpa taxifolia can live for two weeks out of water & reproduce from fragments as small as 2 mm

Learn moreReadthenationalbiofoulingmanagementguidelinesforyoursector.

10 cm

10 cm

10 cm

What it is notNative species that look similar to the pest

This collaborative effort is supported by the Australian Government, state and territory governments, marine industries, researchers and conservation groups.Last revised August 2008

MARINE PEST:

Japanese seaweed or WakameUndaria pinnatifida

Key features• Frillysporophyllnearbaseof

matureplant• Matureplantonlyfoundfrom

earlywintertolatesummer• Strap-likemidrib• Smooththinbladesstopwell

shortofbase• Generallybrown/green• Upto1mlong,sometimes

to3m

Habitat• Coldtemperateoceanwaters• Lowerintertidalto20mdepth• Rock,reefandstones,artificial

structuresandaquacultureequipment

Impacts• Canrapidlyformdenseforests

onanyavailablespace&overgrowsnatives

Known locations• Near-shorehabitatssouth–

east&eastcoastofTas;PortPhillipBayVic

Frilly sporophyll

Mature Undaria pinnatifida showing frilly sporophyll

Likely to establish



Common kelpEcklonia radiataKey Features•Nomidriborfrillysporophyll•RoughbladesnotsmoothNote:E.radiataishardtodistinguishfromjuvenileU.pinnatifida;E.radiataismoreleathery

Habitat•Rockyshores•Moderateexposures•Subtidalto44mdepth

Known Locations•SouthernAustraliafrom

CaloundraQldtoKalbarri,WA;Tas

Phyllospora comosaKey Features•Nomidriborfrillysporophyll•Sawtoothedgedfronds•Branchesclosetogether•Bladesterminateatbase

Habitat •Hardsubstrates•Exposedcoasts•Subtidalto20mdepth

Known Locations•FromPortMacquarieNSWto

Robe,SA;Tas

Photograph creditsThis side: John Huisman, Murdoch University, WA (top); Alan Millar, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney (all other images)Reverse side: All images supplied by CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research




• Checkanchors&otherequipmentfortangledalgae


10 cm

10 cm

1 m

10 cm


MARINE PEST:

American slipper limpetCrepidula fornicata

Key features• Largeinternalaperturewitha

shelfextendinghalfitslength• Ovalshaped,smoothshell• Irregulargrowthlines• Commonlyfoundinstacks• Shellcolourwhite,yellowor

pinkwithred/brownstreaks• Upto5cmlong

Habitat• Intertidal• Shallowestuaries&coastal

bays• Mostlyfoundonothershells

orhardsubstratesinmuddyareas,alsofoundonsand,gravel&rocks

Impacts• Competeswithnativesforfood

&space• Impactscommercialoyster

beds

Known locations• NotyetinAustralia

Likely to establish

A stack of C. fornicata



Northern slipper shellBostrycapulus pritzkeri (formerly Crepidula aculeata)Key Features•Exteriorofshellnotsmooth,

withspinesorbumps•Shellbrown&white•Upto3cmlong

Habitat •Intertidaltosubtidal•Foundattachedtoothershells,

stonesormangrovesinsandormud

Known Locations•FromSharkBayWAaround

northernAustraliatosouth–eastVic

LimpetNotoacmea mayiKey Features•Shellhasnointernalshelf•Shelllightbrowntogreywith

mottledbands•Upto1.5cmlong

Habitat•Hardsubstratesinupper

intertidalzone

Known Locations•NSW;Vic;aroundTas;eastern

SA;westernVic

Nerita politaKey Features•Glossy,smoothshellwithfine

growthlines•Shellmarbled,streakedor

bandedwithwhite,cream,greyorpink

•Upto3cmlong

Habitat•Oftenburiesinsand,surfacing

atlowtidetograzeonrocks•Abundantintropics

Known locations•NorthWestCapeWAtoSydney

NSW

Photograph creditsThis side: Richard Willan, Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (top); © 2007 Guido & Philippe Poppe -www.conchology.be/en/home/home.php (middle); P.N. Lewis (bottom) Reverse side: Richard Willan, Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (top); Jack Sewell, MarLIN (bottom images)





1.7cm


MARINE PEST:

New Zealand screwshellMaoricolpus roseus

2 cm

10 cm

Likely to establish

Key features• Smoothconicalshell• Generallybrown,fadingto

purple/whitewithage• Broadertaperingshellwithup

to18whorls• Upto9cmlong,usually~6cm

Habitat• Lyingonorpartiallyburiedin

sand,mudorgravel• Alsofoundincrevices• Lowintertidal&subtidalupto

130mdepth

Impacts• Denselyblanketstheseafloor

withlive&deadshells• Cancompetewithscallops&

commerciallyfarmedshellfishforfood

Known locations• South–easttonorth–west

Tas;BassStrait,WilsonsPromontoryVic&northtoBotanyBay,NSW,(upto80mdepthonthecontinentalshelfpossiblyto200mdepth)


Native screwshellGazameda gunniiKey Features•Narrowtaperingshellwith

markedridges•Off-whitetolightbrown•Upto5cmlong(usually~3cm)

Habitat•Upto~140mdepth

Known locations•Tas

Mud whelkVelacumantus australisKey Features•Dirtygreyshellwithridges•Upto4.5cmlong

Habitat•Softsedimentsinshallow,

shelteredareas,usuallyamongseagrass

•Estuaries,mangroves,tidalflats

Known Locations•SouthQld;NSW;Vic;Tas;SA;WA

Terebra limaKey Features•Flaringlip•Upto9cmlong

Habitat•Softsedimentsincludingmud

&sand•Subtidalfrom35to350mdepth

Known Locations•NSWasfarsouthasTrailBay

Photograph creditsThis side: Femorale www.femorale.com.br (top); J + M Grist, www.users.bigpond.net.au/jandmgrist/shells1.htm (middle); www.gastropods.com (bottom)Reverse side: CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (top & bottom left); Tim Glasby, NSW Dept. Primary Industries (right)







9 cm

4.5 cm

5 cm

THIS SPECIES IS THREATENED.

DO NOT COLLECT SAMPLES

MARINE PEST:

Rapa or veined whelkRapana venosa

Key features• Blackvein-likepatternon

entireshell• Distinctivedeeporange

interior• Large,heavygreytored/brown

shell• Shellhasshortspire• Upto18cmlong

Habitat• Intertidaltosubtidal• Estuaries&coastalbays• Sandyorhardsubstrates

Impacts• Predatorofnativeshellfish&

aquaculturespecies• Affectstheecologyofbottom

dwellingorganisms


18 cm

spire

Likely to establish



Cartrut shellDicathais orbitaKey Features•Shellsculptedwithprominent

grooves•Shellcolourgrey/browntogreen•Shellheightto8cm

Habitat•Foundattachedtorock

platforms&rockyreefs,upto10mdepth

•Oneofthemostabundantsnailsintertidally&subtidallyonsoutherncoastsofAustralia

Known Locations•SouthernQldtoBarrowIsland,

WA&aroundTas

Helmet shellSemicassis pyrumKey Features•Smoothhelmetshell•Shellcreamwithbrownblotches•Shellheightto7cm

Habitat•Foundburiedundersandduring

theday,foragesatnight•Exposedsandto480mdepth

Known Locations•FromNSWtoFremantle,WA&

aroundTas

Photograph creditsThis side: All images provided by Graham Edgar, University of TasmaniaReverse side: Top right & bottom supplied by Juliana M Harding, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, copyright; top left image supplied by www.gastropods.com






MARINE PEST:

Asian bag or Asian date musselArcuatula senhousia

Key features• Shellhaszigzagmarkings&

iridescentradiatingbands• Shellolivegreen/brown&is

easilycrushed• Upto3cmlong

Habitat• Preferssoftsedimentsbut

alsofoulsartificialhardsurfaces

• Upto20mdepth

Impacts• Canformmatsonsoft

sedimentssmotheringbottomcommunities&alteringfoodavailability

Known locations• Portland&PortPhillip

Bay,Vic;estuarymouthsnorthernTas;SA;CockburnSound,LowerSwanRiver&Fremantle,WA

Likely to establish


Cuming’s bag musselMusculus cumingianusKey Features•Shellisuniformlybrown•Shellhasribsonfront&rearbut

notcentre

Habitat •Onrockyreefsinsideseasquirts

Known Locations•Widespreadintropical&warm

temperateAustralia(i.e.Qld,WA,NT)

Limnoperna [formerly Xenostrobus] speciesKey Features•Shellsmooth&elongatewith

radialmarkings•Variableshellcolourranging

frombluetobrown/black•Shell3to4cmlong

Habitat•Foundinclustersattachedto

rocksorshellsonrockyreefs

Known Locations•SouthernQld;NSW;Vic;Tas;SA;

southernWA

Photograph creditsThis side: Richard Willan, Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (top), J. & M. Grist www.users.bigpond.net.au/jandmgrist/shells1.htm(middle), © 2007 Guido & Philippe Poppe - www.conchology.be/en/home/home.php (bottom) Reverse side: Richard Willan, Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (top), Clay Bryce, Museum of WA (bottom)






2 cm


MARINE PEST:

Asian basket clamCorbula (Potamocorbula) amurensis

Key features• Shellsunequalinsize,oneis

largerthantheotherwithadistinctiveoverlap

• Thin&smoothshell(oldershellsmaybewrinkledatedges)

• Shellcolourisdirtywhite,tanoryellow,noexteriormarkings

• Upto3cmlong

Habitat• Partiallyburiedinsoftbottom

habitatsmostabundantonmixedsand&mudbottoms

• Mostlysubtidal,butalsointertidal

• Upperestuarinetofullymarine

• Subtropicaltocoldtemperatewaters

Impacts• Reducesplanktonicfood

sources&causesdeclineinnativespecies


1 cm

Likely to establish


Serracorbula verconisKey Features•Shellsofunequalsize,oneside

islarger&overlapstheother•Shellhasconcentricgrooves•Solid,compressed,glossyshell

-hardtocrush•Whiteshellwithsmall,

translucentbrownspots•Upto10cmlong

Habitat•Foundinsand&mudupto

65mdepth

Known Locations•NortherntosouthernQld;SA

Paphies speciesKey Features•White/creamshellwithbrown

covering•Interiorwhite•Upto2.5cmlong

Habitat•Sandyintertidal

Known Locations•NSW;Vic;Tas;SA;WA

Tellina semitortaKey Features•Usuallywhite,sometimespink

shell•Upto1.6cmlong


Known Locations•SouthQldtoNSW;Vic;SA

Photograph creditsThis side: © 2007 Guido & Philippe Poppe - www.conchology.be/en/home/home.php (top); J. & M. Grist, www.users.bigpond.net.au/jandmgrist/shells1.htm (all other images)Reverse side: Andrew Cohen, San Francisco Estuary Institute, www.exoticsguide.org (top & bottom left); Peter Ralph, University of Technology, Sydney (bottom right)






1cm

1 cm

1 cm


8 cm

MARINE PEST:

European or basket shell clam Varicorbula gibba

Key features• Shellsunequalinsize,one

islarger&fitslikealid,overlappingtheother

• Coarsegrooves&ridges• Shellisplump,broadlyoval

comingtoatriangularend• Shellcolourwhitetopinkwith

radiatingred/brownrays• Upto2cmlong

Habitat• Burrowsintosoftbottom

habitats,mayattachtogravel&stones

• Intertidalto150mdepth• Temperatewaters;highly

tolerantofpollutedwaters

Impacts• Fastgrowing&competeswith

nativespeciesforfood&space(e.g.commerciallygrownscallops)

Known locations• Coastal&PortPhillipBay&

WesternPortBayVic;northern&south–easternTas

2 cm

1 cm

Likely to establish


Spisula trigonellaKey Features•Shellsidenticalinsize&shape

(bothcurved&meettogetherevenly)

•Shellissmooth&creamcolouredwithbrown“skin”covering

•Upto2cmlong


Known Locations•Qld;NSW;Vic;Tas;SA;southern

WA;NT

Paphies speciesKey Features•Shellsidenticalinsize&shape•Shellissmooth&cream

colouredwithbrown“skin”covering

•Upto2.5cmlong


Known Locations•NSW;Vic;Tas;SA;WA

Photograph creditsThis side: All images provided by © 2007 Guido & Philippe Poppe - www.conchology.be/en/home/home.phpReverse side: CSIRO, Marine and Atmospheric Research (top); Sarah Longrigg, UK Seashells http://www.fredandsarah.plus.com/ukseashells/ (bottom)







2 cm

2.5 cm

2.5 cm

MARINE PEST:

Soft shell or long-necked clamMya arenaria

Key features• Verydifferentshells;onehas

adistinctivelargescoopedoutprojection&theotherapit.Theyfittogetherbutgapeatbothendswhenclosed

• Shellisthin,oval,chalky,whitewithroughexterior&unevengrowthlines

• Upto15cmlong

Habitat• Buriedupto30cmdeepin

sand,mud,clay&gravelmixes• Mainlyupperintertidal;alsoin

shallowsubtidal

Impacts• Outcompetesnativebivalves,

changescharacteristicsofsediments&compositionofbottomdwellingcommunities


1 cm

10 cm

Mya arenaria showing protruding brown siphon

One half of Mya arenaria

shell showing scooped out

projection

siphon

Mya arenaria stained from mud

Likely to establish


Gaper clamLutraria rhynchaenaKey Features•Shellissolid,elongated&gapes

whenshut•Fineconcentricridges•Shellcolourisoff-whiteoften

coveredwithabrown“skin”•Upto12cmlong

Habitat•Usuallydeeplyburiedin

shelteredintertidalsand&mud

Known Locations•NSW;Vic;Tas;SA;southernWA

Venus cockleVenerupis galactites Key Features•Solidwhiteshellwithidentical

valvesthatclosecompletelywithoutagape

•Noscoopedoutprojection•Upto5cmlong

Habitat •Insand,estuaries,bays&

shelteredcoasts•Intertidal

Known LocationsNSW;Vic;Tas;SA;southernWA

Lantern/gaper shellLaternula recta /rostrataKey Features•Shellelongate&gapesatboth

endswhenclosed•Shellsculptedwithfine,

concentricridges&growthlines•Shellcolourwhite•Upto6cmlong

Habitat•Inmudorsand

Known Locations•NSW;Vic;SA

Photograph creditsThis side: All images provided by © 2007 Guido & Philippe Poppe - www.conchology.be/en/home/home.phpReverse side: Luis A. Solorzano, www.lasphotos.com http://californiabiota.com (centre right); all other images supplied by Andrew Cohen, San Francisco Estuary Institute, www.exoticsguide.org






2 cm

2 cm

2 cm


MARINE PEST:

Black striped musselMytilopsis sallei

Key features• Shellsunequalinsize,one

sideoverlapstheother• Shellissmooth,smalland

easilycrushed• Formsdenseclusters• Shellsometimeszigzagged

orstriped• Upto2.5cmlong

Habitat• Subtropicaltotropical• Estuarinetomarine• Uptoafewmetresdepth• Hardverticalsurfaces(e.g.

hulls&pylons)

Impacts• Fastgrowing&candisplace

nativespecies• Massfoulingofwharfpylons,

marinas,vesselwaterintakesystems&marinefarms


Likely to establish


Brachidontes maritimusKey Features•Thicker,black/brownshell•Stronglongitudinalribsalong

thelengthoftheshell(notradiallystriped)

•Upto4.5cm

Habitat •Rockyshores&hardsubstrates•Tropicalmarinewaters

Known Locations•NortherncoastofAustralia(i.e.

Qld,WA&NT)

Goose barnacleLepas speciesKey Features•Whiteshellsontopofarubbery

browncontractilestalkattachedtofloatingobjects

Habitat •Attachedtodriftwoodandother

floatingobjects

Known Locations•Cosmopolitaninalltropicaland

warmtemperateoceansPhotograph creditsThis side: All images provided by Richard Willan, Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern TerritoryReverse side: Richard Willan, Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (top), courtesy of the Northern Territory Government (bottom)







MARINE PEST:

Asian green musselPerna viridis

Key features• Juvenileshellbrightgreen;

oldershellsdarkgreentobrown

• Smoothexteriorwithconcentricgrowthlines

• Adults8–16cmlong

Habitat• Hardsubstrates(vessels,

artificialstructures,wharves,aquacultureequipment,intakepipes,buoys,etc.)

• Lowtidemarkto42mdepth,lowerestuarinetomarine

• Tropicaltowarmtemperate

Impacts• Fastgrowing&outcompetes

nativespecies,formingdensecolonies

• Canclogseawatercoolingpipesandintakesystems


Likely to establish


Septifer bilocularisKey Features•Strongradialridges•Variablecolour(red,blueor

green),internallyblue•Upto5cmlong

Habitat•Attachedtorocksordebris•Tropical

Known Locations•NorthernQld;NTtoAlbany,WA

Stavelia subdistortaKey Features•Dense,concentricridges•Brownshell,insideblue/white•Upto15cmlong

Habitat•Attachedtorockordebrisupto

30mdepth•Tropical

Known Locations•NorthernQldtonorthernWA

Photograph creditsThis side: All images provided by Richard Willan, Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern TerritoryReverse side: Graham Wharton, Tropical Reef Shipyard (bottom left); all other images courtesy of the Northern Territory Government







MARINE PEST:

European fan wormSabella spallanzanii

Key features• Spiralfanoffeedingtentacles• Flexible,leatherytube• Fanwhite/palefawn/orange/

bandedred/brown• Tubesupto40cmlong,

solitaryoringroups

Habitat• Tubesattachtohardsurfaces,

artificialstructures,rocks,shells&seagrassonsoftsediments

• Shelteredtemperatewaters,to30mdepth

Impacts• Formsdensecolonies

consumingvastamountsoffood

• NoknownpredatorsinAustralia

• Foulsaquaculturestructuresincreasingcostforindustry

Known locations• CockburnSound,Fremantle,

Bunbury,Albany&EsperanceWA;metroAdelaidecoastSA;PortPhillipBayVic;DevonportTas;EdenNSWLikely to establish



Sabellastarte speciesKey Features•FanisU-shapednotspiral

shaped•Fansarewhiteorpurplewith

orange/purple/brownbands•Usuallysolitary,notdensely

clumped•Tubeupto5cmlong

Habitat •Exposedrockyreefandartificial

structures•Subtidalto200mdepth

Known Locations•Widelydistributed:NSW;Vic;

Tas;SA,north–westcoastWA

Photograph creditsThis side: Mark Norman, Museum Victoria (top)Reverse side: CSIRO Marine & Atmospheric Research (top and bottom left); Tim Glasby, NSW Dept. Primary Industries (bottom right)




• Checkanchors&otherequipmentfortangledorganisms


10 cm

This collaborative effort is supported by the Australian Government, state and territory governments, marine industries, researchers and conservation groups.

Last revised August 2008

MARINE PEST:

European green shore crabCarcinus maenas

Key features• 5spinesoneachsideofeyes• Lastpairoflegssharp&

slightlyflattenedattips-noswimmingpaddles

• Smoothgreen/brownshellwithpaleorangeunderside

• Shellupto7cmwide

Habitat• Prefersbays/estuariesbut

foundonalltypesofshoresupto60mdepth

• Toleratestemperaturesupto30˚C

Impacts• Aggressivepredator,

outcompetesnativesforfood&habitat

Known locations• NSW;Vic;Tas;SA

5 cm

spines

Likely to establish


Sand crabOvalipes australiensisKey Features•Distinctivepurplespotstowards

rear•Swimmingpaddlesonlastset

oflegs•Palegreyshell,upto10cmwide

Habitat•Burrowsintosand•Intertidal&subtidalto60m

depth

Known Locations•Qld;NSW;Vic;Tas;SA;WA

Paragrapsus speciesKey Features•3spinesoneachsideofeyes•Firstwalkinglegshavefeltpatch

oninnerside•Yellow/brownshellwithdark

redspots•Shellupto4.5cmwide

Habitat•Understones&burrowsinmud•Intertidaltoshallowsubtidal•Estuaries&shelteredcoasts

Known Locations•SouthofNarooma,NSW;Vic;

Tas;SA

Rough rock crabNectocarcinus integrifonsKey Features•Shellcoveredinfinehairs•Pincers/fingersofclawsblack•Lastpairoflegsnotswimming

paddles•Shellupto8cmwide

Habitat •Rockybottoms,sandy/muddy

shores,shelteredseagrassbeds•Intertidalto15mdepth

Known Locations•Fremantle,WAtoPortStephens,

NSW;aroundTas

Photograph creditsThis side: Michael Marmach, Museum Victoria (top & centre); Graham Edgar, University of Tasmania (bottom)Reverse side: P. Gibson NSW Dept. Primary Industries (top). CSIRO Marine & Atmospheric Research (bottom)







10 cm

3 cm

8 cm

MARINE PEST:

Asian paddle crabCharybdis japonica

Key features• 5distinctspinesonupper

surfaceofforeclaw• 6spinesoneachsideofeyes• Swimmingpaddlesonlastset

oflegs• Red/purple/orangetopale

green&off-whiteshell• Shellupto12cmwide

Habitat• Mobile;foundonorburiedin

firm,finesandormud• Subtidalto15mdepth• Estuarine&marineareas

Impacts• CancarryWhiteSpot

Syndromeviruswhichcandevastatenative&farmedprawns,crabs&lobsters


spines

Likely to establish


Pacific swimming crabCharybdis helleriKey Features•4spinesonforeclaw•6–8spinesoneithersideofeyes•Shellupto14.5cmwide

Habitat•Underrocks&coral;onrocky,

sandy&muddyshores&coralreefsto30mdepth

•Lowerintertidal,subtidal

Known Locations•NativetotropicalAustralia

(northcoastNT,centraleast&north–eastcoastQld,north–westcoastWA);Indo-westcentralPacificOceans

Blue swimmer crabPortunus pelagicusKey Features•Nospinesoneithersideofeyes•Brightbluelegs&claws

Habitat•Shelteredsand,intertidal&

subtidalto70mdepth•Shelteredbays&inlets•Shellupto21cmwide

Known Locations•TropicalAustralia,southto

CapeNaturalisteWA,&EdenNSW;SouthAustraliangulfs

Mud crabScylla serrataKey Features•9spineseithersideofeyes•Largerobustclaws•Shellupto25cmwide

Habitat •Mangroves,shelteredestuaries

&coastaltidalflats

Known Locations•NorthernAustralia(Exmouth,

WAtoBegaRiver,NSW);isolatedrecordsfromMallacootaestuary,Vic,SwanRiver,WA&south–westWAestuaries

Photograph creditsThis side: Darryl Felder, University of Louisiana USA (top); Keith Davey (centre & bottom)Reverse side: All images provided by Aroha Millar, NIWA






14.5 cm

20 cm


MARINE PEST:

Chinese mitten crabEriocheir sinensis

Key features• Hairy“mittens”onclaws

unlikeanyAustraliancrab• 4spinesoneithersideofeyes• 4sharpspinesinbetweeneyes• Shellissmooth&upto8cm

wide

Habitat• Burrowsintomudonriver

banks,estuaries&coastalareas

• Adultsinfreshwaterforfirst4–5years

• Usuallytropicalwaters

Impacts• Burrowingcauseserosion;

damagesfishinggear&impactsaquacultureactivities

• Hostsliverfluke(Paragonimusspecies)thatisharmfultohumanhealth


Live specimen of C.maenas

8 cm

Likely to establish


Photograph creditsThis side: Michael Marmach, Museum VictoriaReverse side: All images provided by Stephan Gollasch, GoConsult







7 cm

Red bait crabPlagusia chabrusKey Features•Frontofshelldeeplynotched

betweentheeyes•Clawshairlesswithbumps&

ridges•Orange/redshellcoveredwith

densefinehair,darkerredonwalkinglegs

•Shellupto7cmwide

Habitat •Exposedrockyshores•Lowerintertidal,usuallysubtidal

(to50mdepth)

Known Locations•HerveyBay,Qld;NSW;Vic,Tas;

SA;southernWAtoBunbury








7 cm





•Shellupto7cmwide


(to50mdepth)










7 cm





•Shellupto7cmwide


(to50mdepth)



MARINE PEST:

Asian shore crabHemigrapsus sanguineus

Key features• 3spinesoneachsideofeyes• Bandingpatternonwalking

legs&spotsonclaws• Squareshapedgreen/purpleto

orange/brownshell• Shellupto4cmwide

Habitat• Underrocks,shells,debris&

artificialstructures• Intertidaltoshallowsubtidal• Estuaries,exposedrocky

coasts&tidalflats• Toleratesawiderangeof

temperatures

Impacts• Broaddiet,competeswith&

predatesonnativespecies(crabs,fish&shellfish)


spines eye

Live specimen of H. sanguineus under water Likely to establish


Cyclograpsus speciesKey Features•Nospinesonsideofeyes•Mottledred/brown/purple

markingsonyellowshell•Shellupto4cmwide

Habitat •Intertidal•Sheltered,moderatelyexposed

rocky&bouldercoveredshores

Known Locations•NSW;Vic;Tas;SA;WA(northto

SharkBay);Qld

Paragrapsus speciesKey Features•3spinesoneachsideofeyes•Firstwalkinglegshavefeltpatch

oninnerside•Yellow/brownshellwithdark

redspots•Shellupto4.5cmwide

Habitat•Understones&burrowsinmud•Intertidalto1.5mdepth•Estuaries&shelteredcoasts

Known Locations•SouthofNarooma,NSW;Vic;

Tas;SA

Photograph creditsThis side: All images provided by Michael Marmach, Museum VictoriaReverse side: Amy Benson, US Geological Survey (top); Jerry Preszioso, NOAA/NMFS Narragansett Lab (bottom)







4 cm

3 cm

MARINE PEST:

Northern Pacific seastarAsterias amurensis

Key features• 5armswithpointedupturned

tips

• Yellow/orangewithpurplemarkings&yellowunderneath

• Upto50cmacross

Habitat• Softsediment;alsoartificial

structures&rockyreefs

• Estuaries,bays,rockpools

• Intertidalto200mdepth(usually<25mdepth)

• Preferstemperatebutadaptedtowarmerwaters

Impacts• Aggressivepredatorofnative

species&economicallyimportantbivalves

• Impactsaquaculture&fisheries

Known locations• South–easttonorth–east

coastsfromRechercheBaytoBinalongBayandBanksStraightTas;PortPhillipBayVic

10 cm

5 cm

Likely to establish



Uniophora speciesKey Features•5arms,roundednotpointedtips•Upto20cmacross

Habitat •Rockybottoms,seagrassbeds•Alsomudorsandinsheltered

areas•Upto143mdepth

Known Locations•North–westSolitaryIsland,

NSWtoGreatAustralianBight,SA;BassStrait;aroundTas

Coscinasterias muricata Key Features•7–14arms(usually11),pointed

tipsnotupturned•Colourusuallybluetobrown•Upto50cmacross

Habitat•Shelteredreefs&soft

substrates•Upto140mdepth

Known Locations•PortDenison,Qld,toHoutman

Abrolhos,WA,incl.GreatAustralianBight;BassStrait;aroundTas;Norfolk&LordHoweIsland

Photograph creditsThis side: Graham Edgar, University of Tasmania (top & third); Ingrid Holliday, Dept. Sustainability & Environment Vic (second & bottom)Reverse side: Martina Doblin, University of Technology, Sydney (bottom right); all other images supplied by CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research




• Checkanchors&otherequipmentfortangledorganisms


10 cm

4 cm


DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES3rd Floor, The Atrium, 168–170 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000(08) 9482 7333 [email protected]: 55 689 794 771

www.fish.wa.gov.au/biosecurity

Further information

Report immediately outside known locations!

Ifyouthinkyouhavefoundorseenanaquaticpestordisease:

1.MakeanoteofwhenandwhereyoufoundorsawitincludingGPSreadingsifpossible.

2. Takephotographsofthespeciesaswellasthelocationwhereyoufoundit.

3. PleasekeepasampleofthespeciesandcontactFishWatchon1800 815 507,[email protected],orthroughthefreeWAPestWatchapp,whichcanbedownloadedfromtheAppStoreandGooglePlayStore.

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MARINE PEST IDENTIFICATION GUIDE - fish.wa.gov.au

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