Scientific Name
Scortum hillii

Common Name
Leathery grunter

Biology
Adults inhabit a variety of conditions ranging from brackish estuaries to clear or turbid flowing streams and still pools. Usually in schools feeding on benthic mussels and algae (Ref. 5259, 44894). Temp. range: 12-37.5?C (Ref. 7318, 44894). Form shoals near the bottom (Ref. 44894). Spawn in summer floods (November, water temp. of 26-28?C) after nocturnal upstream migration. Eggs are guarded and fanned by the male parent (Ref. 205). Maturity: M, 25 cm SL; F, >30 cm SL; 50,000 eggs per kg; non-adhesive eggs, 2.5-4.0 mm diameter (Ref. 7317).

Classification

Classified By

Castelnau, 1878

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Grunters or tigerperches (Terapontidae)

Distribution

Region

Oceania

Distribution

Oceania: Endemic to Australia. Known from the northern Gulf of Carpentaria drainages, Queensland, Australia; Norman, Dawson and Fitzroy Rivers.

Range

17°S - 23°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

2.54 s.e. 0.20 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

35.0 cm

Common Length

25.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (45 of 100)

Resilience

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

Threat To Humans

Harmless (Ref. 2906)

IUCN Red List Status

Data deficient (DD)