Animal Species:Smallmouth Hardyhead, Atherinosoma microstoma (Günther, 1861)

The Smallmouth Hardyhead is a small silvery-coloured fish that is common in shallow coastal habitats of southern Australian waters.

Smallmouth Hardyhead, Atherinosoma microstoma

Smallmouth Hardyhead, Atherinosoma microstoma
David Muirhead © David Muirhead

Alternative Name/s

Endora's Hardyhead, Fanged Hardyhead

Identification

The Smallmouth Hardyhead looks similar to other species of hardyheads.  They are quite difficult to identify.  The Smallmouth Hardyhead's coppery lateral stripe combined with its distribution help to identify the species.

Size range

10 cm

Distribution

The species occurs in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Atherinosoma microstoma

Habitat

The species occurs in a wide range of habitats from freshwater to fully marine.

Classification

Species:
microstoma
Genus:
Atherinosoma
Family:
Atherinidae
Order:
Atheriniformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Atherinosoma microstoma, Smallmouth Hardyhead, Atherinidae, fishes, ichthyology, marine, freshwater, brackish, silvery, copper, 10 cm,