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Tawny hardyhead (Craterocephalus fulvus) — Atherinidae

Tawny hardyhead

Craterocephalus fulvus
Family: Atherinidae

The Tawny hardyhead (Craterocephalus fulvus) is a freshwater fish of the family Atherinidae that grows up to 7 cm.

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

Description

The tawny hardyhead is a small silverside (Atherinidae) from fresh and brackish inland water of Australia. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, semi-translucent, tawny to silvery body with a shiny flank band and large eyes. As a schooling fish it swims in large groups near the surface of rivers, pools and lakes and snaps at small zooplankton and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tawny hardyhead?

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

Where does the Tawny hardyhead live?

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

How big does the Tawny hardyhead get?

The Tawny hardyhead grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Tawny hardyhead dangerous to humans?

No, the Tawny hardyhead is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelbruine koppoter sourced
English name
Tawny hardyhead sourced
Scientific name
Craterocephalus fulvus
Family
Atherinidae
Other names
Unspecked hardyhead verified

Appearance

Max length (cm)
7 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

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

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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