Dalhousie hardyhead
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]
| Dalhousie hardyhead | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Atheriniformes |
| Family: | Atherinidae |
| Genus: | Craterocephalus |
| Species: | C. dalhousiensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Craterocephalus dalhousiensis Ivantsoff & Glover, 1974 | |
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
- Whiterod, N.; Hammer, M.; Unmack, P.; Mathwin, R.; Gotch, T. (2019). "Craterocephalus dalhousiensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T5489A123377703. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T5489A123377703.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- Bray, D.J. & Thompson, V.J. (2017). "Craterocephalus dalhousiensis". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Craterocephalus dalhousiensis" in FishBase. April 2019 version.
- Allen, Gerald (1989). Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Neptune City: T.F.H. Publications. p. 78. ISBN 0-86622-936-1.