Bottom-breathing turtle among Queensland endangered species under threat from invasive fish

A Mary River turtle hatchling, one of numerous Queensland species under threat by invasive Mozambique tilapia fish. Photograph: Caitlin Jones

Record floods have propelled an aggressive invasive fish species across a south-east Queensland river catchment, compromising efforts to save endangered and ancient fishes and turtles.

The Moonaboola (Mary) river catchment is home to several threatened species, including the Mary River turtle, the white-throated snapping turtle (known for breathing through its bottom), the Mary River cod and the Australian lungfish, which has survived for 150m years and is considered a living fossil.