The landmasses of Australian and New Guinea, while isolated today, where at times connected in the past under lower sea levels. The regions are intrinsically linked and collectively share a freshwater fish fauna that displays high endemism and unique forms, and that differs markedly to the Asian fauna west of the Lydekker Line. There is still much to be discovered regarding the full diversity, relationships and ecology of this component of aquatic biodiversity, with species new to science still regularly being documented particularly in remote Papua New Guinea. Fishes also form a critical part of culture for traditional custodians, being intwined in livelihood, language and deeper connections and beliefs surrounding land and water. Traditional culture and western science can form complementary learning tools to improve understanding surrounding the environmental requirements of fishes within natural resource management, especially in the face of increasing levels of development across the region. This presentation will discuss a long-term partnership to build capacity in studying the takam (fishes) of the Ok Birak (Upper Fly River), and will highlight a range of interesting species from the perspective of traditional knowledge and latest scientific results.