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Banded grunter (Amniataba percoides) — Terapontidae

Banded grunter

Amniataba percoides
Family: Terapontidae
LC · Least Concern

The Banded grunter (Amniataba percoides) is a freshwater fish of the family Terapontidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern Australia and New Guinea
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The banded grunter is a freshwater grunter from northern Australia and New Guinea. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a deep, silvery body with a few dark cross-bars. Like other grunters it can make grunting sounds with its swim bladder. It lives in rivers, streams, billabongs and reservoirs and feeds on insects, small crustaceans, algae and plant matter. It is a common species and a local bait fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded grunter?

The Banded grunter has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Dark vertical bars; makes growling sounds with the swim bladder

Where does the Banded grunter live?

The Banded grunter lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northern Australia and New Guinea

How big does the Banded grunter get?

The Banded grunter grows to a maximum of about 18 cm. On average the species is around 11 cm.

Is the Banded grunter dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded grunter is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Banded grunter edible?

The Banded grunter is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded grunter verified
Scientific name
Amniataba percoides
Family
Terapontidae
Other names
Barred grunter; Black-banded grunter; Black-striped grunter; Tiger fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Average length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Northern Australia and New Guinea verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, small crustaceans, algae and plant material inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Grunting freshwater perch; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Dark vertical bars; makes growling sounds with the swim bladder sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Terapontidae

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