Bony bream facts for kids

The Bony Bream (scientific name: Nematalosa erebi) is a common freshwater fish in Australia. These fish are usually small to medium-sized. You can find them in many rivers and lakes across northern and central Australia. They also live in the Murray-Darling Basin, which is a very large river system. Bony Bream often swim together in big groups called shoals.

What Bony Bream Look Like

Bony Bream have a body that is quite deep and flat from side to side. Their snout, which is like their nose, is blunt or rounded. They have a dorsal fin on their back, which does not have any sharp spines. The last ray of this dorsal fin is very long and thin, like a filament.

Most Bony Bream are silver all over. Sometimes, their backs can be grey or greenish. In Victoria, some Bony Bream turn a rusty red color, especially around their mouths. Scientists think this might happen when they are ready to breed. Some groups of these fish also have a dark spot on their shoulder.

Where Bony Bream Live

Bony Bream are found in many places across Australia. They live in several large drainage divisions. These include the Pilbara, Timor Sea, Gulf of Carpentaria, and Northeast Coast areas. They are also found in the Murray-Darling Basin, but usually in areas below 200 meters (about 650 feet) in height.

However, they can be found at higher elevations too. For example, they live in Tinaroo Dam, which is 660 meters high. People sometimes call them "Barra lollies" there. This is because larger fish like Barramundi often chase and eat them. Bony Bream also live in the Lake Eyre basin. They usually form large groups and swim near the bottom of the water.

Bony Bream's Home Environment

Bony Bream can live in many different types of places. They often prefer shallow areas of rivers and streams where the water moves slowly or is still. They do well in water that is cloudy or "turbid." You can also find them in desert water holes and in fresh or salty lakes. They can even live in water that is almost as salty as the ocean.

These fish are quite tough when it comes to water temperature. They can handle temperatures from 9°C (48°F) to 38°C (100°F). They also tolerate a wide range of water acidity, from pH 4.8 to 8.6. However, Bony Bream are sensitive to low oxygen levels in the water. If a temporary water source, like a pond, starts to dry up, they are often the first fish to struggle and die.

What Bony Bream Eat

Bony Bream mainly eat algae that grows on the bottom of rivers and lakes. This type of algae is called benthic algae. They also eat detritus, which is tiny bits of dead plants and animals. Sometimes, they will also eat small invertebrates, which are tiny creatures without backbones.