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Dalhousie hardyhead (Craterocephalus dalhousiensis) — Atherinidae

Dalhousie hardyhead

Craterocephalus dalhousiensis
Family: Atherinidae

The Dalhousie hardyhead (Craterocephalus dalhousiensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Atherinidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Dalhousie hardyhead is a silverside (Atherinidae) endemic to the warm artesian springs and streams of Dalhousie in the arid interior of South Australia. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a shiny lengthwise stripe and two separate dorsal fins. As a social schooling fish it stays in groups and snaps at small plankton, insect larvae and algae. Its small range makes it vulnerable. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dalhousie hardyhead?

The Dalhousie hardyhead has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Dalhousie hardyhead live?

The Dalhousie hardyhead lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Dalhousie hardyhead get?

The Dalhousie hardyhead grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Dalhousie hardyhead dangerous to humans?

No, the Dalhousie hardyhead is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dalhousie-hardkop sourced
English name
Dalhousie hardyhead sourced
Scientific name
Craterocephalus dalhousiensis
Family
Atherinidae
Other names
Dalhousie Hardyhead verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Craterocephalus

More from the family Atherinidae

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