Craterocephalus mugiloides (McCulloch, 1912)
Spotted hardyhead
photo by Good, P.

Family:  Atherinidae (Silversides), subfamily: Craterocephalinae
Max. size:  7 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Central Pacific: northern Australia, from Western Australia to Fraser Island, around the islands of the Gulf of Carpentaria, and northeast Queensland.
Diagnosis:  Anal spines: 1-1. Labial ligament inserting adjacent to symphysis of dentary. Lateral process of premaxilla pungent. Gill rakers on first lower gill arch, 13-17. Body scales on large specimens usually crenulated, midlateral scales 33-37. Black spot often present at base of pectoral fin.
Biology:  Mainly coastal and estuarine, often schooling with C. capreoli, Atherinomorus endrachtensis and A. ogilbyi. Diet includes crustaceans and diatoms. Breeds from December to March throughout the southern hemisphere. Appears to have a one year life span. May be food fish for larger commercially important fishes.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.