Dalhousie hardyhead

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Dalhousie hardyhead

Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Atheriniformes
Family: Atherinidae
Genus: Craterocephalus
Species:
C. dalhousiensis
Binomial name
Craterocephalus dalhousiensis
& , 1974

The Dalhousie hardyhead (Craterocephalus dalhousiensis) is a species of silverside in the family Atherinidae.[1] It is endemic to the warm waters of Dalhousie Springs in the Lake Eyre basin, Australia, along with the similar Craterocephalus gloveri.[2] It inhabits shady areas in tropical freshwater streams at 20-39 °C, but has been recorded at 41.8 °C. Its food consists of gastropods, aquatic plants, green filamentous algae, detritus and small invertebrates; food is mainly taken from the substrate.[3]

The species is generally golden brown with a darker brown back. A dark midlateral band runs from the snout to the base of the caudal fin. Two to three rows of pigmented scales form discontinuous lines below the midlateral band.[4] It is the only species in the genus Craterocephalus known to be sexually dimorphic.[2] Adult males are smaller and exhibit a rounded belly compared to the flattened belly of females. Males also lack the forehead concavity exhibited by females.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Whiterod, N., Hammer, M., Unmack, P., Mathwin, R. & Gotch, T. (2019). "Craterocephalus dalhousiensis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2019: e.T5489A123377703.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Bray, D.J. & Thompson, V.J. (2017). "Craterocephalus dalhousiensis". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  3. ^ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2019). "Craterocephalus dalhousiensis" in FishBase. April 2019 version.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Allen, Gerald (1989). Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Neptune City: T.F.H. Publications. p. 78. ISBN 0-86622-936-1.


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