Syncomistes versicolor Shelley, Delaval & Le Feuvre, 2017

Family:  Terapontidae (Grunters or tigerperches)
Max. size:  25 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Oceania: Prince Regent River in Kimberley region, Western Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-11; Vertebrae: 25-25
Biology:  Adults prefer to inhabit deeper, slow flowing portions of creeks and rivers. Juveniles occupy shallow, still waters or occasionally in riffle habitat. Frequently encountered shoaling in the middle of the water column around snags, also observed in large schools (> 50 fish) patrolling up and down stream reaches. Occurs in clear waters over rocky substrates, usually where algae are in abundance. There is an apparent segregation by size/age with large adult fishes (> 200 mm) appearing restricted to the lower catchment, while juveniles and sub-adults only stay in the upper catchment. Feeds mainly on filamentous algae that are scraped off rocks with its modified teeth (Ref. 119336).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 11 February 2019 (B1a) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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