Teleostei (teleosts) >
Centrarchiformes (Basses) >
Terapontidae (Grunters or tigerperches)
Etymology: Hephaestus: Taken from Haphaistos, the God of fire in the Greek mythology; 1658 (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: In Greek mythology, Hephaestus was the god of fire, blacksmiths, metal-workers and other artisans. De Vis gives no reason for his choice of name. The Corydoras was so named due to the red (fiery) colour of its fins and parts of its body. (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Macleay.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 25°C - 30°C (Ref. 2060); 5°S - 8°S
Oceania: endemic to northern Australia (Daly River, Northern Territory to upper Burdekin, Queensland). Reported from southern Papua New Guinea (Ref. 2847).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 54.0 cm FL male/unsexed; (Ref. 40637); common length : 25.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894); max. published weight: 6.2 kg (Ref. 40637)
More commonly found in larger flowing streams in both clear or turbid water. Adults inhabit particularly the upper reaches of river systems over sandy or rocky bottoms with sparse aquatic plant growth. Can tolerate acidic conditions (to a pH of 4.0) and temperatures between 12° and 34°C. Feed on frogs, insects, worms, shrimps, algae, plant roots, and palm berries. Some adults develop greatly oversized `blubber' lips. Spawns in summer in response to rising water levels following monsoonal rains. Group spawning may occur (Ref. 44894). Spawns in summer when streams begin to rise. Eggs are guarded and fanned by the male parent (Ref. 205). A good angling species growing to a weight of 4 kilograms.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Eggs are guarded and fanned by the male parent (Ref. 205).
Allen, G.R., 1989. Freshwater fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. (Ref. 5259)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Gamefish: yes
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5001 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01288 (0.00590 - 0.02812), b=3.04 (2.86 - 3.22), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.8 ±0.36 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (44 of 100).
