Murray hardyhead

Murray hardyhead
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Atheriniformes
Family: Atherinidae
Genus: Craterocephalus
Species: C. fluviatilis
Binomial name
Craterocephalus fluviatilis
McCulloch, 1912
Synonyms

Craterocephalus fluviatillis McCulloch, 1912 [orth. error]

The Murray hardyhead (Craterocephalus fluviatilis) is a species of fish in the Atherinidae family endemic to inland parts of south-eastern Australia.[1] The fish is an omnivore, feeding on small crustaceans, aquatic insects and algae.[2]

Conservation

The fish was once widespread and abundant in the Murray and Murrumbidgee River systems in southern NSW and northern Victoria. However, they have suffered a serious population decline and now seem to be limited to a few sites, mainly in northern Victoria. There are very few recent records of Murray hardyheads from NSW.

The main threat to remaining populations is increasing salinity and lack of water.[2]

Murray hardyheads are now listed as an endangered species in NSW and threatened in Victoria.[2] There are heavy penalties for harming, possessing, buying, or selling them.

References

  1. Wager, R. 1996. Craterocephalus fluviatilis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 4 August 2007.
  2. 1 2 3 Bray, Dianne; Thompson, Vanessa. "Murray Hardyhead, Craterocephalus fluviatilis". Fishes of Australia. Retrieved 15 October 2014.


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