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Penny fish (Denariusa australis) — Ambassidae

Penny fish

Denariusa australis
Family: Ambassidae
LC · Least Concern

The Penny fish (Denariusa australis) is a freshwater fish of the family Ambassidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The penny fish is a very small freshwater perchlet from northern Australia and New Guinea. The species reaches only about 5 cm and has a stocky, silvery to translucent body with fine markings. It lives in densely vegetated swamps, billabongs and slow streams and feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae and small crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Penny fish?

The Penny fish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Penny fish live?

The Penny fish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Penny fish get?

The Penny fish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Penny fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Penny fish is harmless to humans.

Is the Penny fish edible?

The Penny fish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pennyvis verified
English name
Penny fish verified
Scientific name
Denariusa australis
Family
Ambassidae
Other names
Pennyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Average length (cm)
3.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Ambassidae

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