Australian grayling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Australian grayling |
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| A relatively small Australian grayling caught and released on a dry fly. | |
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The Australian grayling (Prototroctes maraena) is a special freshwater fish. You can find it in rivers along the coast of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. In the past, people sometimes called it the cucumber mullet or cucumber herring. This was because it smelled a bit like a cucumber!
Contents
About the Australian Grayling
What it Looks Like and Eats
The Australian grayling has a sleek, long body and a small head. Its sides are usually silver, and its back is a dusky olive color. It often has a shiny gold look too.
Most Australian grayling live for about 2 to 3 years. They usually grow to be around 20 centimetres (7.9 in) long. Some rare ones have lived up to 5 years and grown to 33 centimetres (13 in)! This fish is an omnivorous eater, which means it eats both plants and animals. Its diet includes algae, small shrimp, and tiny insects. It has special teeth and a long gut to help it digest the algae.
How They Have Babies
Australian grayling lay their eggs in the freshwater parts of coastal rivers. This usually happens in late autumn or early winter. A female fish can lay between 25,000 and 67,000 eggs! These tiny eggs, about 1 mm wide, sink to the bottom. They likely settle among the gravel and rocks in the riverbed before they hatch.
Once the eggs hatch, the baby fish, called larvae, are carried out to sea by the river's current. After about 6 months in the ocean, the young grayling return to the freshwater rivers. They then spend the rest of their lives living there.
Fishing for Grayling
Years ago, before other fish like the Eastern mosquitofish and trout were brought to Australia, the Australian grayling was a popular fish for anglers. People enjoyed catching them with fly-fishing gear. They liked that the grayling would bite both wet and dry flies. It was also known for putting up a good fight on light fishing lines.
However, the number of Australian grayling has dropped a lot. Because of this, the fish is now protected by law. It is illegal to catch them, and there are big fines if you do.
Challenges for the Grayling
Past Problems and Current Dangers
The Australian grayling faced huge problems a long time ago, around 1868-1870. Many fish died suddenly in what looked like a big sickness. Scientists think this might have happened when new fish species, like salmon, were brought to Australia. These new fish might have carried diseases that the native grayling had never met before.
Today, the Australian grayling is still in danger from several things:
- Dams and Weirs: These structures block the fish from moving freely up and down the rivers. This stops them from reaching important places to lay eggs or find food. They also change how rivers flow, which is bad for the grayling's home and for their young fish moving to and from the sea.
- Pollution: Bad practices from forestry and farming can harm rivers. They can cause dirt and mud to wash into the water, making it unhealthy for the fish.
- Introduced Fish: Fish like trout, which are not native to Australia, can be a threat. They might eat young grayling or compete with them for food and space. Studies show that native fish struggle when trout are around.
There's some good news though! In early 2021, two Australian grayling were seen in the Glenelg River in Victoria. This was the first time they had been seen there since 1899! Scientists believe that efforts to clean up the river have helped. The river and its estuary are now healthier, allowing the grayling to return.
The Australian grayling is listed as a "vulnerable species." This means it's at risk of becoming endangered. Many groups are now working hard to protect this special fish.
