Scortum neili Allen, Larson & Midgley, 1993
Neil's grunter

Family:  Terapontidae (Grunters or tigerperches)
Max. size:  24 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; depth range 0 - 3 m
Distribution:  Oceania: Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-9. Body color silver grey, sometimes with 1-2 randomly positioned black blotches on upper sides and about 10 faint bars. Greatest body depth 2.7 - 3.0 in SL. Similar to S. ogilbyi (Ref. 44894).
Biology:  Adults occur in small, well-shaded, slow-flowing streams with mixed sand, silt and rock bottoms; also in deeper rocky pools in gorges. Water is typically fresh and clear, between 21° and 28° C, with a neutral or slightly basic pH (Ref. 44894). Eggs are guarded and fanned by the male parent (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 31 January 2019 (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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