Bony Bream, Nematalosa erebi (Günther, 1868)

Scientific name: Nematalosa erebi
Alternative name/s:
Australian River Gizzard Shad, Hair-back Herring, Hairback Herring, Leichhardtian Bony Bream, Melon Fish, North-west Bony Bream, Pyberry, Queensland Bony Bream, Tukari
Bony Bream, Nematalosa erebi Click to enlarge image
A Bony Bream caught at a depth of 2m, Pelican Point, 10km south of Morgan, South Australia, January 2006. Image: J. Partridge
© J. Partridge

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Nematalosa
    Species
    erebi
    Family
    Clupeidae
    Order
    Clupeiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 32 cm in length.

Introduction

The Bony Bream occurs in freshwater drainages in Australia and Papua New Guinea. It can tolerate a wide ranges of water temperatures and pH.

Identification

The Bony Bream is a relatively deep-bodied, compressed species with a blunt snout and bony toothless lower jaw. The scales along both the midline of the belly and the dorsal margin of the body in front of the dorsal fin, form a sharp serrate ridge. The last ray of the dorsal fin forms a long filament that may reach the base of the tail. The species is silvery to grey, sometimes with a greenish or reddish tinge dorsally.

Habitat

The Bony Bream can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and pH, although is susceptible to low dissolved oxygen levels. It is often the first species to die when ephemeral waters begin to evaporate.

Distribution

The species occurs in Australia and Papua New Guinea. In Australia it is known from freshwaters drainages across the north of the country and south through Queensland and inland New South Wales, Victoria 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.

Feeding and diet

The Bony Bream is schooling species that eats mainly algae and detritus.

Other behaviours and adaptations

Physiological tolerances:

According to Merrick & Schmida (1984) "Preliminary studies suggest that the bony bream has wide physiological tolerances, being able to survive salinities approaching those of seawater, temperatures between 9 and 38oC and pH values from 4.8 to 8.6. There are a number of reports of small individuals dying in large numbers after a succession of frosts - presumably due to lowered water temperatures."

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240.
  2. Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
  3. Briggs, I.C. & R.M. McDowall in McDowall, R.M. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books. Pp. 247.
  4. 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.
  5. Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.