Pseudaphritis urvillii

Pseudaphritis urvillii is the only species of fish in the family Pseudaphritidae and the genus Pseudaphritis. It is known also as the congolli or the tupong.[1] It was initially classified as a member of the family Bovichtidae.[2]

Pseudaphritis urvillii
Waite, Edgar R. (1921) Illustrated Catalogue of the Fishes of South Australia. (Freshwater and Marine Image Bank).

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Suborder:
Notothenioidei
Family:
Pseudaphritidae
Genus:
Pseudaphritis
Species:
P. urvillii
Binomial name
Pseudaphritis urvillii
(Valenciennes, 1832)

Distribution and habitat

The congoli is found in fresh, brackish, and marine waters around south eastern Australia including Tasmania.[3] It lives mostly in sluggish estuaries and streams. Water temperatures in its habitat range from 5 to 20 °C (41 to 68 °F). This fish will inhabit areas with log snags, over hanging banks, and leaves that fell into the water. Between late April and August, it migrates south to estuaries to breed.[3]

Description

The largest adult measured is about 36 centimetres (14 in) long.[3] Usually, adults grow up to 17 centimetres (6.7 in) long.[3]

Diet

The congoli feeds on insects, fish, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and other invertebrates.[3]

Behavior

The congoli is an ambush predator that usually buries itself in the substrate.[3] During the time period between late April and August, it migrates south to estuaries to reproduce.

Reproduction

Adults migrate south downstream to reproduce. It takes place between late April and August.[3]

Importance to humans

Occasionally, this fish is caught for food. It shows a minor importance to commercial fishing.[3] The congoli is also caught by anglers.

References
  1. Museum Victoria Australia , Tupong Pseudaphritis urvillii, retrieved 29 January 2015
  2. Last, PR; et al. (2002). "Halaphritis platycephala (Notothenioidei: Bovichtidae): A New Genus and Species of Temperate Icefish from Southeastern Australia". Copeia. 2002: 433–440. doi:10.1643/0045-8511(2002)002[0433:hpnban]2.0.co;2.
  3. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2015). "Pseudaphritis urvillii" in FishBase. January 2015 version.


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