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Congolli (Pseudaphritis urvillii) — Pseudaphritidae

Congolli

Pseudaphritis urvillii

The Congolli (Pseudaphritis urvillii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Pseudaphritidae that grows up to 36 cm.

Length
36 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–4.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The congolli is a perch-like bottom fish (Bovichtidae) from fresh and brackish water of southeastern Australia and Tasmania. The species grows to about 36 cm and has an elongate, brown-mottled body with a flattened head and large pectoral fins. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it shelters half-buried in sand and mud bottoms of rivers and estuaries and seizes small fish, crustaceans and worms; to spawn it migrates to sea. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Congolli?

The Congolli has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Congolli live?

The Congolli lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Congolli get?

The Congolli grows to a maximum of about 36 cm. On average the species is around 17 cm.

Is the Congolli dangerous to humans?

No, the Congolli 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 Congolli edible?

Yes, the Congolli is commonly eaten.

More photos

Congolli (Pseudaphritis urvillii) — Pseudaphritidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Monina Gilbey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Congolli (Pseudaphritis urvillii) — Pseudaphritidae — 3
Paul, David (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NMV
Congolli (Pseudaphritis urvillii) — Pseudaphritidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Dan Monceaux, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Congolli (Pseudaphritis urvillii) — Pseudaphritidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Carol Khan Nicholls (CC0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Congolli sourced
Scientific name
Pseudaphritis urvillii
Family
Pseudaphritidae
Other names
Congolli; Freshwater flathead; Marble fish; Sand trout; Sanding; Sandy; Sandy whiting; Tupong verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
36.0 verified
Average length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
4.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified
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
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