| Family: |
Clupeidae (Herrings, shads, sardines, menhadens) |
| Max. size: |
32 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 11 years |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; freshwater; brackish; marine, catadromous |
| Distribution: |
Oceania: Endemic to southeastern Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-18; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 16-27. Body fairly elongate, belly keeled, with 16 to 18 + 14 or 15 scutes; about 14 dorsal scutes with low keel from head to dorsal fin origin. Minute or no teeth in jaws; second supra-maxilla slender. Branchiostegal rays 8. Anal fin origin far behind dorsal fin base. Juveniles resemble Hyperlophus, which has a deeper second supra-maxilla, only 4 branchiostegal rays and i 6 pelvic fin rays. |
| Biology: |
It occurs in clear, moderately fast-flowing streams, as well as in quiet backwaters, estuaries, and in the sea ( Ref. 5259, 44894). Also found in sluggish lowland rivers (Ref. 44894). A schooling species and appears diadromous. A fast swimming, shoal-forming species. Nothing much is known of its biology, although it may have a catadromous life cycle. Downstream migration to estuaries, presumably for spawning, has been reported in winter months (July-August). Feeds on worms, small crustaceans and insects (Ref. 44894). Breeds in estuaries in July to August. Taken in nets during the spawning season; will also take bait. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 February 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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