Scientific Name
Lovettia sealii

Common Name
Tasmanian whitebait

Biology
Occurs in coastal seas, estuaries and rivers. An annual species, with an anadromous life cycle. In spring, large shoals of adults migrate from the sea into rivers and estuaries to spawn. Eggs are deposited on the bottom or among debris. They hatch in 2-3 weeks, and the fry are swept out to sea where they undergo development. Adults die shortly after spawning. Also known as Derwent whitebait (Ref. 44894).

Classification

Classified By

Johnston, 1883

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Smelts (Osmeriformes)

Family

Galaxiids (Galaxiidae)

Distribution

Region

Oceania

Distribution

Oceania: Tasmania, particularly along the northern and southeastern coasts.

Range

41°S - 44°S

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

3.16 s.e. 0.39 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

8.0 cm

Common Length

5.5 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (10 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated