Dalhousie hardyhead | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Atheriniformes |
Family: | Atherinidae |
Genus: | Craterocephalus |
Species: | C. dalhousiensis
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Binomial name | |
Craterocephalus dalhousiensis |
The Dalhousie hardyhead (Craterocephalus dalhousiensis) is a species of silverside in the family Atherinidae. [1] It is endemic to the warm waters of Dalhousie Springs in the Lake Eyre basin, Australia, along with the similar Craterocephalus gloveri. [2] It inhabits shady areas in tropical freshwater streams at 20-39 °C, but has been recorded at 41.8 °C. Its food consists of gastropods, aquatic plants, green filamentous algae, detritus and small invertebrates; food is mainly taken from the substrate. [3]
The species is generally golden brown with a darker brown back. A dark midlateral band runs from the snout to the base of the caudal fin. Two to three rows of pigmented scales form discontinuous lines below the midlateral band. [4] It is the only species in the genus Craterocephalus known to be sexually dimorphic. [2] Adult males are smaller and exhibit a rounded belly compared to the flattened belly of females. Males also lack the forehead concavity exhibited by females. [4]