[2] The fish prefers shallow water and swamps where phragmites (a type of reed grass) and other vegetation are prolific.

For the goby, being a small fish that does not require a specific diet, it could live in shallow and densely vegetated areas.

[5] Based on their distribution, scientists found that Dalhousie Gobies exhibit great tolerance to varying conditions including salinity and temperature.

[1] Since the 19th century, the landscape of the Great Artesian Basin has been altered through boring by pastoralists, leading to a decline in spring flows.

[10] Many pastoral bores are still operative and it is difficult to cap them as there are legal and administrative barriers to their stoppage, such as seeking permission from current land owners.

[10] Spring excavation was initially performed due to the incorrect assumption that it would facilitate stronger flows and assist stock accessing water.

[10] Foreign flora and fauna pose risks create increased competition for food and resources and may prey on the goby.

[10] There have been instances of foreign fauna such as the Eastern Gambusia fish in the Springs, which have most likely been brought over by humans from approximately 100 km away.

Further, according to the Government of South Australia, there is a risk of crayfish being deliberately introduced into the springs, which could also lead to competition and predation for the vulnerable Dalhousie Goby.

Pastoralists introduced the date palm in the late 19th century, which has since infested specific areas of the Dalhousie Springs.

[1] Because these date palms possess extensive root systems and undergo an intensive transpiration process, this reduces the level of surface water.

[1] The reduction of surface water level leads to events of local extinction and reduced goby populations as living space is lost.

[10] Whilst the government adequately controls tourism through the placing of signage and restrictive barriers, there still needs to be continual management to offset any potential damage.

[10] Livestock disturbance (mainly donkeys, cattle and camels) through grazing and trampling, is another issue because it degrades the natural mineral composition in the Springs.

[10] These recommendations include increased efforts to cap and control bores to maintain the level of flows from the springs.

[10] For the issue of livestock disturbance, the South Australian government recommended adequate fencing to ensure that grazing occurs in appropriate places.

Further, the South Australian Government encourages the prevention and removal of exotic fauna and flora such as the Eastern Gambusia fish and the date palm, accompanied with rigorous monitoring programs.

[10] In recent years, cultural burning has been reintroduced successfully in select springs where it has been effective in curbing the growth of foreign flora such as the date palm.

[1] The recommendations also include increasing awareness about the risk of accidentally transporting organisms from one spring to another, which primarily occurs due to unsanitised footwear.

[1] Conservation efforts have been focused at accurately measuring the populations of endemic species and their distribution through the creation of an inventory.