Black-blotch grunter (Pingalla midgleyi)

Scientific name: Pingalla midgleyi Allen & Merrick, 1984

The Black-blotch grunter (Pingalla midgleyi) is a freshwater fish of the family Terapontidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–35°C (73–95°F). Native range: Oceania, Endemic to Australia. Known from the northern coastal drainages in the Northern Territory; Alligator River, Katherine River and Daly River systems.

Black-blotch grunter care at a glance

Temperature
23–35°C (73–95°F)

Biology

Adults inhabit flowing streams in rocky, tree-lined pools. They occur in well-shaded, rocky pools in clear, flowing creeks, usually over sandy bottoms. Can tolerate temperatures between 23?-35?C and pH between 4.5-7.0. Herbivore. Feed on benthic algae and detritus. Spawning in summer; egg layer needing rock and plant cover. Eggs are guarded and fanned by the male parent. Found in small aggregations in the wild and is believed to spawn during the middle wet season (December to January).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Pingalla midgleyi
Family
Terapontidae (Grunters or tigerperches)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
15.0
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 4.5 - 7.0 benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Oceania: Endemic to Australia. Known from the northern coastal drainages in the Northern Territory; Alligator River, Katherine River and Daly River systems.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

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

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