Finke Hardyhead, Craterocephalus centralis Crowley & Ivantsoff 1990

Other Names: Finke River Hardyhead

Summary:

A small, slender silvery to golden hardyhead becoming paler below, with a distinct greenish-gold mid-lateral stripe, and dark-edged scales on the upper sides. This species occurs in the Finke River (Northern Territory), and may also occur in northern South Australia during times of heavy flooding.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. & Thompson, V.J. 2017, Craterocephalus centralis in Fishes of Australia, accessed 31 Mar 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1378

Finke Hardyhead, Craterocephalus centralis Crowley & Ivantsoff 1990

More Info

Distribution	Restricted to the Lake Eyre catchment including the Finke River, Northern Territory, and the Neales River, South Australia. The species is widespread and abundant in the Finke River, its tributaries, and waterholes. During the dry season, Finke hardyheads seek refuge in pools in the gorges, and in other semi-permanent waterholes such as natural spring fed pools in the river bed. Individuals may be more widespread in the Lake Eyre Basin during times of heavy flooding. The species schools in open water or amongst aquatic vegetation.
Features	Dorsal fin V-VI + I, 4-6; Anal fin I, 5-7; Pectoral fin 11-13. Body long, slender, greatest depth 3.6-4.9 in SL; mouth small but protractile, lips moderately thin; gape restricted by labial ligament one third of way along mouth; jaw not reaching back to eye; teeth in jaws sparse, minute. Scales moderately large, strong, in even rows above midlateral stripe. Rows not always even below midlateral stripe. Scales on top of head large, irregular; opercles with scales; horizontal scale rows 10-11; vertical scale rows 31-33. Two short-based, well-separated dorsal fins; caudal fin moderately forked, edges rounded; pectoral fins positioned high on sides, near top of gill openings, elongate and pointed; pelvic fins abdominal, elongate, pointed.
Size	to 7.5 cm.
Colour	Silvery-golden above the prominent green/gold midlateral stripe; paler below; abdomen whitish; opercles and eyes silver; top of head dark down to eye, pale silver below; scales outlined above midlateral stripe forming a faint network pattern.
Feeding	Omnivore - feeds on small crustaceans, insects, gastropods, polychaete worms, algae and fish eggs.
Biology	Little is known of the biology of the Finke Hardyhead. The species is tolerant of a wide temperature and salinity ranges. The sexes are separate and fertilisation is external. The species breeds during warmer months and spawns in pairs. Females lay demersal adhesive eggs amongst aquatic vegetation. Larvae hatch after 5-7 days.
Conservation	IUCN Red List: Near Threatened.
Remarks	Although Crowley & Ivantsoff (1990) recognised Craterocephalus centralis as being distinct from C. eyresii, Adams et al. (2011) failed to find genetic differences between the species. Both species are retained pending further studies.
Similar Species	Differs from Craterocephalus eyresii in having a slightly more slender body, and in fin ray and scale counts. C. centralis is the only Craterocephalus species found in the Finke River system.
Etymology	Craterocephalus is from Greek cratero meaning 'strong' or 'sturdy', and cephalus meaning 'head' in reference to the strong head of species in the genus. The species is named centralis after the region in which it is found — Central Australia.
Species Citation	Craterocephalus centralis Crowley & Ivantsoff 1990, Proc. Linn Soc. N.S.W. 112(2): 92 fig. 3. Type locality: Finke River, Glen Helen Gorge, NT [23°41'S, 132°40'E].
Author	Bray, D.J. & Thompson, V.J. 2017
Resources	Australian Faunal Directory