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
| |
The Murray hardyhead (Craterocephalus fluviatilis) is a species of fish in the family Atherinidae endemic to inland parts of southeastern Australia. 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[]
- ^ Stoessel, D., Ellis, I.M., Whiterod, N., Gilligan, D., Wedderburn, S.D. & Bice, C. (2019). "Craterocephalus fluviatilis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2019: e.T40692A123379212.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Bray, Dianne; Thompson, Vanessa. "Murray Hardyhead, Craterocephalus fluviatilis". Fishes of Australia. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
External links[]
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- IUCN Red List critically endangered species
- Craterocephalus
- Fish of the Murray-Darling basin
- Endangered fauna of Australia
- Fish described in 1912
- Atheriniformes stubs