ANGFA was formed in 1982 by a group of hobbyists whose interests were in the conservation, keeping, breeding and studying of the fishes of Sahul - pronounced Sa-hule. This name refers to the Australian land mass up to about 10,000 years ago when land bridges existed between Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea.

The principal aim of the group was to publish a journal called "Fishes of Sahul", the main vehicle of information on native fishes for members - which would also be of interest to serious aquarists and scientists alike. Many volumes later "Fishes of Sahul" is now eagerly awaited by its readers.