Australian river gizzard shad (Nematalosa erebi)

Scientific name: Nematalosa erebi G?nther, 1868

Australian river gizzard shad (Nematalosa erebi)

The Australian river gizzard shad (Nematalosa erebi) is a freshwater fish of the family Clupeidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 15–25°C (59–77°F).

Australian river gizzard shad care at a glance

Temperature
15–25°C (59–77°F)

Biology

Occur often far up rivers, but also in estuaries and in Lakes Alexandrina and Albert near mouth of a river. Most commonly inhabit streams coursing through relatively dry eucalyptus-scrub or desert areas, preferring sluggish or quiet waters. Also found in saline lakes (slightly less salty than sea water). Tolerant of water temperatures between 9? and 38?C and pH 4.8-8.6. Although these fish have a wide tolerance of temperature and pH, they are susceptible to oxygen depletion and are usually the first to perish when ephemeral habitats begin to dry up. Common length is 15-20 cm. Frequently noted in large shoals that feed on benthic algae; also feed on insects and small crustaceans. Spawning may occur repeatedly in the north with a peak during the wet season; probably annual in the south.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Nematalosa erebi
Family
Clupeidae (Herrings, shads and sardines)
Order
Clupeiformes (Herrings)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
48.0
Depth range
0–3 m (0–10 ft)
Environment
Freshwater; brackish; pelagic; potamodromous; depth range 0 - 3 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Oceania and Asia: Rivers of Australia and southwestern Papua New Guinea (from Fortescue River near Dampier Archipelago in Western Australia, eastward in rivers through the Northern Territory and Queensland south to the Murray-Darling system; also the Finke River, affluent to Lake Eyre; Bensbach River and Digoel River in New Guinea.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; bait: usually
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2; tmax=10; Fec=33,000)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated