Australian grayling

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Australian grayling
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Osmeriformes Family: Retropinnidae Genus: Prototroctes Species: P. maraena
Binomial name
Prototroctes maraena Günther, 1864

The Australian grayling is a primarily freshwater fish found in coastal rivers in Tasmania and south-eastern Australia. In past decades it has also been known as the “cucumber mullet” or “cucumber herring,” for its cucumber-like odor. Like Northern Hemisphere salmon species, the Australian grayling reproduces in freshwater streams, and its juveniles are washed out into the ocean; unlike salmon, the Australian grayling returns to the streams after several months and spends the remainder of its lifecycle there.

Australian grayling commonly grow to around 17 cm (though some have reached 33 cm) and can live up to 3 years. The fish has an omnivorous diet, feeding upon algae, shrimp, and small insects. Habitat loss has thinned the grayling’s numbers, and they are a protected species under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

[edit] References

• Wager (1996). Prototroctes maraena. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 10 May 2006. Listed as Vulnerable (VU A1c v2.3)
• Prototroctes maraena (TSN 623684). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 24 January 2006.
• "Prototroctes maraena". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 10 2005 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2005.

[edit] External links

• Australian Inland Fisheries Service