Flyspecked Hardyhead, Craterocephalus st
Flyspecked Hardyhead, Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum (Günther, 1867)
Scientific name: Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum
Freshwater Hardyhead, Freshwater Silverside, Line-eye, Mitchellian Hardyhead, Northern Fresh Water Hardyhead, Speckled Crat, Worrell's Freshwater Hardyhead
Similar species:
The related Unspecked Hardyhead, Craterocephalus fulvus, was originally described as a subspecies of C. stercusmuscarum. This species occurs in coastal drainages from southern Queensland to northern New South Wales and the Murray-Darling River system.
A Fly-specked Hardyhead at Sydney Aquarium. Image: Stuart Humphreys
stercusmuscarum
Craterocephalus
Atherinidae
Atheriniformes
It grows to about 8 cm in length.
The Flyspecked Hardyhead has a slender body covered with black dots. The species is endemic to Australia. It occurs in some freshwater streams of the Northern Territory to southern Queensland.
The Flyspecked Hardyhead has a slender body covered with black dots. This pattern gave rise to the common name. The fish is golden yellow to deep green above, changing to white below. A dusky to silver stripe runs from the snout to the caudal peduncle.
A school of Flyspecked Hardyheads at Sydney Aquarium Image: Stuart Humphreys
The species is endemic to Australia. It occurs in some freshwater streams of the Northern Territory to southern Queensland.
The Flyspecked Hardyhead eats mainly mosquito larvae and aquatic insects. It will also eat crustaceans and has been observed eating algae in aquaria.
Economic impacts
It can be easily kept in aquaria but its natural colours often fade.
Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240. Ivantsoff, W. & L.E.L.M. Crowley. in McDowall, R.M. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books. Pp. 247.
Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.
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Atherinidae - Hardyheads
Explore images and fact sheets of the atherinid fishes on the site. These include the Hardyheads, Silversides and Whitebait.
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