Deep hardyhead - Craterocephalus cuniceps
Identification
Also known as the Murchison River Hardyhead. A small fish with a greyish-olive green colour, with a silver mid-lateral stripe. Below the mid-lateral line is a lighter to whitish colour. Maximum size is 100 mm total length (TL) but usually around 50-60 mm TL. Body shape is slightly compressed, with a long appearance but a deeper body shape than the western hardyhead for example. The head is flattened above with a pointed snout. The mouth is slanted downwards and does not extend to below the eye.
Distribution
This species is endemic to the Pilbara region. It has a disjointed range, being present in the De Grey River in the northern Pilbara and also in the Greenough, Hutt, Murchison, Wooramel and Gascoyne Rivers of the southern Pilbara, but absent from the central Pilbara.
Habitat
Inhabits freshwater streams and isolated pools and found in clear and turbid waters. The deep hardyhead will tolerate a range of water temperature (15–28°C) and salinity (0–32 ppt).
Biology
An adaptable species, well suited to its geographical range due to its broad salinity and water temperature tolerances, in highly-variable, arid catchments. While it is a hardy species, it is susceptible to handling stress (like the western hardyhead).
This species is generally abundant (where found) and will school together. Mostly a detritovore but will opportunistically feed on small invertebrates (e.g. ostracods and insect larvae). A relatively rapid growing fish for its size and reaches sexual maturity within the first year. Breeds year round (less in cooler months). Females produce multiple batches of eggs through the breeding season. Eggs have adhesive filaments to attach to aquatic vegetation.
Conservation status
Not listed as threatened
Further information
Further information
Contact the department’s River Science team, or the Murdoch Freshwater Fish Group via email: fish@murdoch.edu.au, or go to their website: www.freshwaterfishgroup.com
References:
Morgan, David; Allen, Mark; Beatty, Stephen; Ebner, Brendan & Keleher, James. (2014). A Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Western Australia’s Pilbara Province.
Vanessa J. Thompson, Craterocephalus cuneiceps in Fishes of Australia, accessed 30 Jan 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1374