Congolli (Pseudaphritis urvillii)

Scientific name: Pseudaphritis urvillii Valenciennes, 1832

The Congolli (Pseudaphritis urvillii) is a freshwater fish of the family Pseudaphritidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 5–20°C (41–68°F). Native range: Oceania, southeast Australia, including Tasmania.

Congolli care at a glance

Temperature: 5–20°C (41–68°F)

Biology

Found in streams and estuaries. Inhabits slow-flowing water around log snags, under over-hanging banks or among leaf litter. Adult fish migrate downstream to spawn in weedy estuaries from late April to August. Feeds on insects, crustaceans, mollusks, worms and fishes. Often buries itself in the substrate to ambush passing prey. A highly efficient osmo-regulator, able to withstand direct transfer from salt to fresh water without any indication of stress. Good eating, but too small to be considered a prime angling target.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Pseudaphritis urvillii
Family: Pseudaphritidae (Catadromous icefishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 36.0
Common length: 17.0
Environment: Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; catadromous
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Oceania: southeast Australia, including Tasmania.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.3)