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Welch's grunter (Bidyanus welchi) — Terapontidae

Welch's grunter

Bidyanus welchi
Family: Terapontidae

The Welch's grunter (Bidyanus welchi) is a freshwater fish of the family Terapontidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

Welch's grunter is a grunter (Terapontidae) from fresh water of inland river systems in eastern and central Australia. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a deep, silver-grey body with a small head. Like other grunters it can make a grunting sound with its swim bladder. As an omnivore it searches turbid rivers and pools for molluscs, crustaceans, insects and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Welch's grunter?

The Welch's grunter has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Welch's grunter live?

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

How big does the Welch's grunter get?

The Welch's grunter grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 23 cm.

Is the Welch's grunter dangerous to humans?

No, the Welch'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.

More photos

Welch's grunter (Bidyanus welchi) — Terapontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Duncan Henderson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Welch's grunter (Bidyanus welchi) — Terapontidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Richard Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Welch's grunter sourced
Scientific name
Bidyanus welchi
Family
Terapontidae
Other names
Silver bream; Welch's grunter; Black bream verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
23.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Omnivorous: small invertebrates, algae, detritus and plant material inferred
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

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

Same genus Bidyanus

More from the family Terapontidae

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