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markmcfish.bsky.social
@markmcfish.bsky.social
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markmcfish.bsky.social
Eyes bigger than its belly? A rare sighting of a Southern Crested Weedfish trying to swallow an Ogilby's Weedfish at Sandringham Beach, Victoria! This amazing citizen science find by @ken_flan is a rare glimpse into intraguild predation. www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
Eyes Bigger Than Its Belly? A rare Weedfish encounter.
Here at the Australasian Fishes Project, we're constantly amazed by the incredible discoveries made by our community. Recently, Ken Flanagan (@ken_flan) posted a terrific observation of two fish at Sa...
www.inaturalist.org
September 23, 2025 at 4:15 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
🔍 Fish Detective Game! – Case #8: The Winged Walker
Fan-like fins, big eyes, a spade-like snout, and bony armour… Can you crack the case? 🕵️‍♂️
Play now and test your fish ID skills 👉 www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
#AustralasianFishes #FishDetective
The Fish Detective Game! - Case #8: The Winged Walker
🔍 Fish Detective Game! – Case #8: The Winged Walker Can you solve the mystery? Which species of fish is it? There are 4 clues. Scroll down to reveal each clue. 🕵️ Clue 1 This species has fan-lik...
www.inaturalist.org
September 15, 2025 at 2:04 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
Member Profile: Debra Baker (@quokka2)
From her catamaran Quokka2, Debra sails the world, diving into remote waters & documenting marine life for iNaturalist & the Australasian Fishes Project. Citizen science at sea! www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus... #AustralasianFishes
September 8, 2025 at 10:45 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
Got a keen eye for fish? 🕵️‍♀️ Solve the mystery in our latest "Fish Detective Game"! 🐟 We've got four clues to help you identify the "striped suspect." Think you can crack the case? Head over to the blog and drop your guess in the comments! #FishDetective www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
The Fish Detective Game! - Case #7: The Striped Suspect
🔍 Fish Detective Game! – Case #7: The Striped Suspect Can you solve the mystery? Which species of fish is it? There are 4 clues. Scroll down to reveal each clue. 🕵️ Clue 1 This species has a 'tr...
www.inaturalist.org
September 1, 2025 at 6:27 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
This isn't your average fish photo! 📸 This stunning Lilac-tip Basslet was photographed ~1,200 km south of its known distribution in Western Australia. www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
A Remarkable Range Extension: Lilac-tip Basslets at Key Biscayne
Every now and then, an observation comes along that really stands out – and this one certainly does! A Lilac-tip Basslet, Pseudanthias rubrizonatus, was recently photographed at the Key Biscayne wreck...
www.inaturalist.org
August 25, 2025 at 11:52 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
🔍 Fish Detective Game! – Case #6: The Spotted Sentinel 🐠
Think you can crack the case? 🕵️‍♂️
4 clues. 1 mystery fish.
How many clues will you need?
👉 Join the game at www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus... #AustralasianFishes #FishDetectiveGame #CitizenScience
The Fish Detective Game! - Case #6: The Spotted Sentinal
🔍 Fish Detective Game! – Case #6: The Spotted Sentinal Can you solve the mystery? Which species of fish is it? There are 4 clues. Scroll down to reveal each clue. 🕵️ Clue 1 This species has larg...
www.inaturalist.org
August 18, 2025 at 12:37 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
New fieldguide to Sydney Harbour Fishes – the most complete book on the harbour’s fish life ever printed.
700+ species • 2,500+ photos • A sensational collaboration between scientists & 350 citizen scientists. www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
#CitizenScience #SydneyHarbour
Sydney Harbour Fishes – Now in Print
If you’ve ever snorkelled, dived, fished, or just dangled your feet off a wharf in Sydney Harbour, you’ve probably wondered about the incredible variety of fish swimming below. Now there’s a book that...
www.inaturalist.org
August 11, 2025 at 12:48 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
🔍 Fish Detective Game – Case #5: The Placid Predator! Think you can crack the case? 🕵️‍♂️
4 clues. 1 mystery fish. How many clues will you need?
Play now on the Australasian Fishes Project: www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
#FishDetective #iNaturalist #CitizenScience
The Fish Detective Game! - Case #5: The Placid Predator
🔍 Fish Detective Game! – Case #5: The Placid Predator Can you solve the mystery? Which species of fish is it? There are 4 clues. Scroll down to reveal each clue. 🕵️ Clue 1 This species has a var...
www.inaturalist.org
August 4, 2025 at 12:39 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
From bush tracks to coral pinnacles, Bob Edgar’s life is a masterclass in curiosity, community & citizen science. With 2,785 fish observations on iNat & decades of marine research, he’s helping shape understanding of our fish fauna. #AustralasianFishes www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
Member Profile - Bob Edgar
A Life Immersed in Nature: The Power of Curiosity, Citizen Science and Community There are many effective things we can do to satisfy our curiosities, but the top of the list is meeting people with si...
www.inaturalist.org
July 31, 2025 at 12:10 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
🐟Volunteer for Fish Research!
Are you a diver, beachcomber, fish enthusiast or just want to help researchers? Join our initiative, connecting citizen scientists with fish researchers in Australia & NZ.
www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
#AustralasianFishes #CitizenScience #MarineResearch
Get Involved: Your opportunity to volunteer for Fish Research
Calling all citizen scientist volunteers! In a typical year I am contacted by two or three overseas researchers or university post-graduate students interested in conducting fish fieldwork in Australi...
www.inaturalist.org
July 24, 2025 at 11:30 PM
markmcfish.bsky.social
🕵️‍♂️ Fish Detective Game – Case #4: The Delicate Dancer
Can you crack the case?
Clear fins, a red eye-stripe, and a fancy tail… which fish is it? 🐟
🧩 4 clues await – how many will you need?
www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
#AustralasianFishes #FishID #iNaturalist #CitizenScience
July 21, 2025 at 12:42 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
New fish for NZ! A Spotted Oceanic Triggerfish, Canthidermis maculata, was spotted at Tapuae Marine Reserve—possibly the first verified NZ record! Kudos to @simonnicholas for documenting his discovery on iNat. Citizen science at its best! www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
Spotted Oceanic Triggerfish - a new record for NZ
An intriguing observation recently surfaced in the Australasian Fishes Project, potentially representing a new fish species for New Zealand. On June 21st, 2025, member @simonnicholas documented a Spot...
www.inaturalist.org
July 20, 2025 at 7:42 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
🕵️‍♂️ Fish Detective Game – Case #3: The Gaping Guardian
No pectoral fins. Big teeth. Tubular nostrils. Can you crack the case and name this mystery fish? Join the investigation! www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
#AustralasianFishes #iNaturalist #FishDetective
The Fish Detective Game! - Case #3: The Gaping Guardian
🔍 Fish Detective Game – Case #3: The Gaping Guardian Can you solve the mystery? Which species of fish is it? There are 4 clues. Scroll down to reveal each clue. 🕵️ Clue 1 This species lacks pect...
www.inaturalist.org
July 7, 2025 at 3:10 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
From Paris to Polynesia, @francoislibert brings the ocean to life—one dazzling fish photo at a time. His story spans continents, coral reefs & citizen science. A beautiful reflection on curiosity, conservation & the power of iNat. www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
#AustralasianFishes
Member Profile- Francois Libert
Introduction For the most part, I tend to photograph fishes that live as close to my apartment as possible. In that respect, I am a remarkably lazy citizen scientist. I do go on occasional overseas ...
www.inaturalist.org
July 2, 2025 at 6:38 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
🕵️‍♀️ Fish Detective – Case #2: The Banded Bride.
Can you crack the case?
4 cryptic clues. One mysterious fish.
How many will you need?
🔎 Clues include: banding, snout, clear fins... www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
#FishDetective #iNaturalist #AustralasianFishes
The Fish Detective Game! - Case #2 - The Banded Bride
🔍 Fish Detective Game – Case #2: The Banded Bride Can you solve the mystery? Which species of fish is it? There are 4 clues. Scroll down to reveal each clue. 🕵️ Clue 1 First dorsal fin 🕵️ C...
www.inaturalist.org
June 30, 2025 at 12:24 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
Pygmy Thornback Skate – Rare Shallow Sighting! Spotted alive at just a few metres depth under Edithburgh Jetty, this observation surprised experts. Could this be the first in-situ image of Dentiraja flindersi? Citizen science at its best! www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
Pygmy Thornback Skate: A Rare Inshore Encounter at Edithburgh Jetty
An intriguing observation was made on April 5, 2025, under Edithburgh Jetty by Australasian Fishes member David Muirhead, @davemmdave. What appeared to be a small skate turned out to be something far ...
www.inaturalist.org
June 23, 2025 at 12:27 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
🕵️‍♂️🐟 Fish Detective – Case #1: The Ledge Lurker. Can you crack the case?
🔎 There are 4 clues. How many will you need? Add your guess to the comments and join the marine mystery! www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
#FishDetective #MarineMystery #AustralasianFishes #iNaturalist
The Fish Detective Game! - Case #1 - The Ledge Lurker
🔍 Fish Detective – Case #1: The Ledge Lurker Can you solve the mystery? Which species of fish is it? There are 4 clues. Scroll down to reveal each clue. 🕵️ Clue 1 Body colouration: This species...
www.inaturalist.org
June 16, 2025 at 4:07 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
Think you've got fish smarts? Play The Fish Detective Game and solve real marine mysteries from the Australasian Fishes Project! New Case File every fortnight — clues, fun facts, and a chance to be crowned top sleuth! www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus... #FishDetective #CitizenScience #MarineMystery
The Fish Detective Game!
🔍 Welcome to the Fish Detective Game! Do you have what it takes to be a marine sleuth? Each fortnight, we post a new Fish Detective Case File. Each mystery species has been chosen from the Australasi...
www.inaturalist.org
June 16, 2025 at 4:01 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
From Komodo Island to the Great Barrier Reef, Year 12 student Samuel McLaughlin (@samuel_mclaughlin) is making waves in citizen science. With over 11,000 fish IDs on iNat, he’s proof that passion and curiosity know no age. www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
#AustralasianFishes
Member Profile - Samuel McLaughlin
I have always felt that citizen science gives as much as it takes. Being a citizen scientist can be demanding. There is no doubt whether you are working on specific project like Australasian Fishes, o...
www.inaturalist.org
June 10, 2025 at 1:47 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
A major algal bloom affected 4,500 km² of South Australian waters in early 2025, causing widespread marine mortality and impacting local industries. Learn about the causes, effects, and future risks in our latest @AustralasianFishes blog: www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
June 2, 2025 at 5:43 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
Blue Health in Action!
Explore how the ocean inspires art, science & serenity in NSW’s stunning new video series.
Featuring Australasian Fishes members @harryrosenthal & @jaynejenkins
Watch & feel the coastal connection: www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
#AustralasianFishes
May 23, 2025 at 9:25 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
Meet Belinda Forbes (@gemfyre713)—naturalist, snorkeller, birder & citizen scientist with nearly 3,000 Australasian Fishes observations! From childhood field kits to flora surveys, her lifelong passion fuels science. Dive into her story. www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus... #iNaturalist
Member profile - Belinda Forbes
Reflecting on what makes a leading scientist/citizen scientist, I have concluded that some people must be “hard wired” from birth to become a naturalist. I have friends who have taken this path, and n...
www.inaturalist.org
May 20, 2025 at 7:53 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
Shock, horror! A northern range extension — with a twist. Citizen scientist Gordon Black found a Velvet Leatherjacket 300 km north of its known range. But was it the furthest north? Not quite... Read the full fishy tale. www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
Shock, horror! A northern range extension with a twist
The first journal post for the Australasian Fishes Project went online back in October 2016. Since then, we've documented more than 250 records of fishes observed south of their 'official' distributio...
www.inaturalist.org
May 16, 2025 at 12:49 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
A Onespot Snapper at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands - more than 500km south of its known range. A tasty surprise—and a scientific one too. www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
Onespot Snapper way down south
In a surprising twist to our understanding of marine distributions, a Onespot Snapper, Lutjanus monostigma, — a tropical species—was photographed over 500 kilometres south of its known range. The obse...
www.inaturalist.org
April 24, 2025 at 2:18 AM
markmcfish.bsky.social
From child fish-spotter to shark-tagging scientist — Dr Malcolm Francis has spent a lifetime uncovering the secrets of the sea. With 18,000+ images and 40 years of research, his story is a deep dive into marine passion. www.inaturalist.org/projects/aus...
#AustralasianFishes #MarineScience
Dr Malcolm Francis: The Life and Career of a Marine Scientist: A Deep Dive into Passion and Discovery
In many of the project’s Bio Blurbs, you will note that numerous participants aspired to become professional marine biologists, myself included. While many of us took different professional paths, tod...
www.inaturalist.org
April 13, 2025 at 9:28 AM