Prototroctes maraena Günther, 1864
Australian grayling
photo by McDowall, R.M.

Family:  Retropinnidae (New Zealand smelts), subfamily: Prototroctinae
Max. size:  33 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 6 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine, amphidromous
Distribution:  Oceania: coastal drainages of southeastern Australia from the Grose River near Sydney southward and westward to the eastern part of South Australia, including Tasmania and King Island in Bass Strait.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Adults inhabit creeks and rivers, usually in cool, clear waters over gravel bottoms in sections alternating between pools and rapids. Usually found in clear, moderate to fast-flowing water in the upper reaches of rivers (sometimes to altitudes above 1000 meters). Often forming aggregations below barriers to upstream movement. Timid species that forms fast-moving shoals (Ref. 44894). Often form large schools especially prior to spawning. Feed on small crustaceans, insects and their larvae and algae. The intestinal tract is long, s specialization to assist in the breakdown of ingested plant material (Ref. 44894). Spawn: Feb.-May; 25,000-68,000 eggs which sink to bottom downstream of spawning site. Hatching: 10-20 days; larvae, 6-7 mm TL, swept downstream to estuaries and the sea, return to freshwater after 6 months.
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 12 February 2019 (B2b(i,ii,iii,iv,v)c(iv)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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