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Few-ray hardyhead (Craterocephalus pauciradiatus) — Atherinidae

Few-ray hardyhead

Craterocephalus pauciradiatus
Family: Atherinidae

The Few-ray hardyhead (Craterocephalus pauciradiatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Atherinidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.1 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern Australia
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The few-ray hardyhead is a small silverside (Atherinidae) from coastal, brackish and fresh water of northern Australia and New Guinea. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, translucent silvery body with a shiny silver lateral stripe. It swims in schools near the surface of estuaries and coastal lagoons and filters small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Few-ray hardyhead?

The Few-ray hardyhead has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Glossy silvery lateral stripe; schooling surface plankton filter-feeder

Where does the Few-ray hardyhead live?

The Few-ray hardyhead lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Northern Australia

How big does the Few-ray hardyhead get?

The Few-ray hardyhead grows to a maximum of about 4 cm. On average the species is around 3 cm.

Is the Few-ray hardyhead dangerous to humans?

No, the Few-ray hardyhead 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 Few-ray hardyhead edible?

The Few-ray hardyhead is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Few-ray hardyhead sourced
Scientific name
Craterocephalus pauciradiatus
Family
Atherinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.1 verified
Average length (cm)
2.5 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Northern Australia sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Schooling estuarine silverside; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Glossy silvery lateral stripe; schooling surface plankton filter-feeder sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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

Same genus Craterocephalus

More from the family Atherinidae

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