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Prototroctes maraena Günther, 1864 Australian grayling |
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photo by
McDowall, R.M. |
| Family: | Retropinnidae (New Zealand smelts), subfamily: Prototroctinae | |||
| Max. size: | 33 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 6 years | |||
| Environment: | demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine, amphidromous | |||
| Distribution: | Oceania: coastal drainages of southeastern Australia from the Grose River near Sydney southward and westward to the eastern part of South Australia, including Tasmania and King Island in Bass Strait. | |||
| Diagnosis: | ||||
| Biology: | Adults inhabit creeks and rivers, usually in cool, clear waters over gravel bottoms in sections alternating between pools and rapids. Usually found in clear, moderate to fast-flowing water in the upper reaches of rivers (sometimes to altitudes above 1000 meters). Often forming aggregations below barriers to upstream movement. Timid species that forms fast-moving shoals (Ref. 44894). Often form large schools especially prior to spawning. Feed on small crustaceans, insects and their larvae and algae. The intestinal tract is long, s specialization to assist in the breakdown of ingested plant material (Ref. 44894). Spawn: Feb.-May; 25,000-68,000 eggs which sink to bottom downstream of spawning site. Hatching: 10-20 days; larvae, 6-7 mm TL, swept downstream to estuaries and the sea, return to freshwater after 6 months. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 12 February 2019 (B2b(i,ii,iii,iv,v)c(iv)) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||