Scientific Name
Gadopsis marmoratus

Common Name
River blackfish

Biology
Lives in clear, flowing streams with abundant cover (Ref. 5259, 44894). Prefers streams with gravel bottoms and abundant snags. Also occurs in lakes and reservoirs (Ref. 5259). Tolerant of slightly brackish conditions (10 p.p.t.) in the tidal reaches of rivers, and a temperature range of 5?-25?C. Home-ranging; remaining within about a 20-30 meters stretch of water throughout the life span (Ref. 44894). Feeds on insects, crustaceans and small fishes (Ref. 5259) ; also on mollusks (Ref. 2156). The spawning season runs from November to January. A popular angling species in the south, but large fish are rare. Highly susceptible to overfishing, due to its home-ranging behavior and low fecundity (Ref. 44894). Flesh is oily and not very good eating.

Classification

Classified By

Richardson, 1848

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Temperate perches (Percichthyidae)

Distribution

Region

Oceania

Distribution

Oceania: endemic to south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania (Ref. 5259). Mictochodrial 12S rRNA sequences support that G. marmoratus complex consists of two northern and southern forms (Ref. 54370).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

5 °C

Water Temperature To

20 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; benthopelagic

Trophic Level

3.74 s.e. 0.60 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

60.0 cm

Common Length

30.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (55 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated