Murray hardyhead
| Murray hardyhead | |
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| Species: | C. fluviatilis
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| Binomial name | |
| Craterocephalus fluviatilis McCulloch, 1912
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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
- ^ Wager, R. 1996. Craterocephalus fluviatilis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 4 August 2007.
- ^ a b c Bray, Dianne; Thompson, Vanessa. "Murray Hardyhead, Craterocephalus fluviatilis". Fishes of Australia. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
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