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Midgley's grunter (Pingalla midgleyi) — Terapontidae

Midgley's grunter

Pingalla midgleyi
Family: Terapontidae

The Midgley's grunter (Pingalla midgleyi) is a freshwater fish of the family Terapontidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

Midgley's grunter is a grunter (Terapontidae) from clear rivers and streams of northern Australia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, silvery body with a small mouth; with its swim bladder it makes grunting sounds. As a bottom-oriented fish it scrapes and snaps algae, biofilm, insect larvae and small invertebrates from stones and sand. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Midgley's grunter?

The Midgley's grunter has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Midgley's grunter live?

The Midgley's grunter lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Midgley's grunter get?

The Midgley's grunter grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Midgley's grunter dangerous to humans?

No, the Midgley's 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 Midgley's grunter edible?

Yes, the Midgley's grunter is commonly eaten.

More photos

Midgley's grunter (Pingalla midgleyi) — Terapontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Alec Karcz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Midgley's grunter sourced
Scientific name
Pingalla midgleyi
Family
Terapontidae
Other names
Black-blotch grunter; Midgley's grunter; Midgley's Grunter; Black blotch anal fin grunter verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or 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

More from the family Terapontidae

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