Glossamia aprion
| Glossamia aprion | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Kurtiformes |
| Family: | Apogonidae |
| Genus: | Glossamia |
| Species: | G. aprion |
| Binomial name | |
| Glossamia aprion (J. Richardson, 1842)[1] | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Apogon aprion J. Richardson, 1842 | |
Glossamia aprion is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish from the family Apogonidae, the cardinalfishes, from northern Australia and New Guinea. In Australia it is commonly known as the mouth almighty.
Description
Glossamia aprio has a creamy-brown background colour and it has 6-8 irregularly shaped, broken markings which are similar to bars, these are darker olive-brown in colour and they reach the ventral side. It also has many irregular darker brown spots and blotches which vary in size, and a dark bar which runs from the eye to gills. The first dorsal fin is sooty in colour with the outer half much darker than the inner part, as are the pelvic and the inner parts of second dorsal and anal fins. There are also dark spots and marbling on these fins.[3] This species grows to a maximum standard length of 18 centimetres (7.1 in), although standard lengths of 12 centimetres (4.7 in) are normal.[4]
Distribution
Glossamia aprio is widespread in northern Australia where its occurs in rivers, creeks and lagoons from the Fitzroy River in the West Kimberley region of Western Australia to the Burnett River in Queensland. It is found in similar habitats in New Guinea.[3]
Habitat and ecology
Glossamia aprio is native to still or slowly flowing fresh waters where it shelters in aquatic vegetation growing in the shallows near the edges. It is a nocturnal species which ambushes its prey, mainly small crustaceans, insects and smaller fish. The female lays a relatively small number of large eggs. These are brooded by the male in his mouth and the larvae hatch at a quite advanced stage.[3]
References
- ↑ Eschmeyer, W. N.; R. Fricke & R. van der Laan (eds.). "Glossamia aprion". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ↑ Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen and J.E. Hanley (1989) Pisces. Petromyzontidae to Carangidae., Zoological Catalogue of Australia, Vol. 7. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra
- 1 2 3 Martin F. Gomon. "Glossamia aprion". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2018). "Glossamia aprio" in FishBase. June 2018 version.