Murray Hardyhead
Craterocephalus fluviatilis
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Quick Facts
Scientific name
Craterocephalus fluviatilis
Other names
Mitchellian Hardyhead, Western Crat, Western Freshwater Hardyhead
Size
Up to 8 cm (3.14 in)
Weight
A few grams
Distribution
Habitat & AU Distribution
Known to inhabit slow-moving rivers, creeks, and billabongs, as well as still or slow-flowing water bodies such as ponds and swamps.
Depth Range
0 - 2 m (6 ft)
Interesting Info
- The Murray Hardyhead is a small freshwater fish found in Australia. Commonly found in the Murray-Darling Basin, which is the largest river system in Australia.
- The species is usually greenish-brown in colour, with a silver-white underside.
- The Murray Hardyhead is omnivorous, feeding on a variety of small aquatic invertebrates and plants.
- They are an omnivore, feeding on a variety of small insects, crustaceans, and algae.
- They are a shoaling fish and is often found in groups of varying sizes.
- They are known to spawn during the warmer months of the year (usually from October to March). During the breeding season, male Murray Hardyheads develop a distinctive coloration and may become more aggressive in defending their territory. Females can lay up to 300 eggs, which are usually deposited onto aquatic vegetation or other submerged objects.
- Their lifespan is estimated to be between 1 – 2 years.
Species Interaction
Minimal Species Contact
Engagement with murray hardyheads are limited due to their vulnerable status in the wild and is largely focused on conservation and protection of the species due to their threatened status.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Atheriniformes
Family: Atherinidae
Genus: Craterocephalus
Species: Craterocephalus fluviatilis
Conservation Status
The Murray Hardyhead is listed as a “Critically Endangered” species under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and is also listed as “Endangered” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
