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Blackmast hardyhead (Craterocephalus stramineus) — Atherinidae

Blackmast hardyhead

Craterocephalus stramineus
Family: Atherinidae

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

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

Description

The Blackmast hardyhead is a hardyhead silverside (Atherinidae) from fresh and brackish inland water of inland river systems of eastern Australia. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, semi-translucent, silvery body with a shiny silver 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 Blackmast hardyhead?

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

Where does the Blackmast hardyhead live?

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

How big does the Blackmast hardyhead get?

The Blackmast hardyhead grows to a maximum of about 7 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Blackmast hardyhead dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackmast hardyhead is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Strohalm-koppoter sourced
English name
Blackmast hardyhead sourced
Scientific name
Craterocephalus stramineus
Family
Atherinidae
Other names
Strawman verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 verified
Average length (cm)
4.0 verified
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

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
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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