| Family: |
Retropinnidae (New Zealand smelts), subfamily: Retropinninae |
| Max. size: |
7 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine, anadromous |
| Distribution: |
Oceania: Endemic to Tasmania. |
| Diagnosis: |
|
| Biology: |
Inhabits estuaries and the lower reaches of coastal streams (Ref. 44894). Occurs in lowland streams, forming schools that feeds at or near the surface on insects and zooplankton. Found among the annual Tasmanian whitebait migrations in shoals with Lovettia seali and various galaxiids. Most of the life cycle is spent at the sea (Ref. 44894). The species is thought to have an anadromous life cycle involving upstream migration of adults from the sea prior to spawning. Newly hatched larvae are carried on tides out to sea where they develop to maturity (ref. 44894). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 February 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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