Scientific Name
Hephaestus carbo

Common Name
Black grunter

Biology
Adults occur in lentic and lotic freshwater (Ref. 7300). They inhabit clear, rapid streams (sometimes very small creeks) flowing over sand and mud; also in rocky pools. Prefer the upper reaches of coastal drainages. Water temperatures are always above 15?C. Feed on crustaceans (especially prawns) and small fishes. Spawning in the wild has been recorded in November and probably continues through to early autumn (March). Eggs are guarded and fanned by the male parent (Ref. 205). Sexual maturity is reached at a size of about 13 centimeters. Juvenile coal grunter is attractive and popular in the aquarium hobby. Closely related and nearly identical in appearance to H. raymondi from south-western Papua New Guinea (Ref. 44894).

Classification

Classified By

Ogilby & McCulloch, 1916

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Grunters or tigerperches (Terapontidae)

Distribution

Region

Oceania

Distribution

Oceania: endemic to Australia.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

25 °C

Water Temperature To

30 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; benthopelagic

Trophic Level

3.24 s.e. 0.47 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

33.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5001 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (34 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated