Southern saratoga
| Southern saratoga | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Osteoglossiformes |
| Family: | Osteoglossidae |
| Genus: | Scleropages |
| Species: | S. leichhardti |
| Binomial name | |
| Scleropages leichhardti Günther, 1864 | |
The southern saratoga, Scleropages leichhardti, is a species of fish in the family Osteoglossidae. It is endemic to Australia.
Description
Southern saratoga can grow up to 90 cm (4 kg). At sexual maturity they are usually 48–49 cm in length. They are primitive, surface-dwelling fish with strongly compressed bodies. They have an almost perfectly flat back, with a dorsal fin set back towards the tail of their long bodies. They are dark brown to olive green along the back, with lighter sides and a white belly. The large, bony scales have small orange or red dots. The lower jaw slopes steeply upwards and carries two fleshy barbels on the chin.
Distribution and habitat
Southern saratoga are native to the Fitzroy River system.[2] They are commonly found in freshwater impoundments on the Mary, Dawson and Burnett rivers. Stocks have also been introduced to dams on the Brisbane and Noosa Rivers. Southern saratoga prefer still waters and slow flowing sections of rivers and can be found sheltering in lily-pads or below fallen timber. They are very aggressive and territorial fish.
References
- ↑ R. Wager (1996). "Scleropages leichhardti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved August 5, 2007.
- ↑ Hollaway, M. and Hamlyn, A. (2001). Freshwater Fishing in Queensland: a guide to stocked waters. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.