Potamalosa richmondia
| Potamalosa richmondia | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Potamalosa | ||||||||||||
| Ogilby , 1897 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Potamalosa richmondia | ||||||||||||
| ( Macleay , 1879) |
Potamalosa richmondia is one of two species in the herring family(Clupeidae) that are found predominantly in the freshwater of Australia . The schooling fish iscalled Freshwater Herring there.
features
The fish of this species can be up to 32 cm long, but mostly it is only 15 cm. The body is slim and flattened on the sides. The caudal fin is deeply notched. The fish is silvery in color with a light greenish tinge, especially towards the back. Two indistinct silver stripes run along the body below the midline.
The standard length is 2.8-3.2 times the body height. The dorsal fin consists of 15–18, the anal fin of 15–17, the pectoral fins of 15–19 and the pelvic fins of 8 fin rays . The number of vertical scale rows is 41–48, the horizontal scale rows 11–12.
Distribution and habitat
Potamalosa richmondia only inhabits the coastal fresh waters of New South Wales and eastern Victoria . The species is not very common overall, but it does not appear to be endangered either. It is most commonly found in the rivers north of Sydney.
The fish usually inhabit clear, moderately flowing rivers. But they can also be found in sluggishly flowing lowland rivers, in estuaries and probably also in seawater.
Way of life
Potamalosa richmondia are fast swimmers that appear in schools . Otherwise, little is known about their way of life. It is believed that they are catadromous migratory fish , since migration downriver into the estuaries , probably to spawn, was observed in the months of July to August .
The diet of fish consists of worms, small crustaceans and insects.
literature
- G. Allen, S. Midgley, M. Allen: Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia . 2nd Edition. Western Australian Museum, Perth 2003, ISBN 0-7307-5486-3 , pp. 66 .