Gulf saratoga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gulf saratoga |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Osteoglossidae
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Scleropages
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S. jardinii
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| Scleropages jardinii (Saville-Kent, 1892)
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The Gulf saratoga (scientific name: Scleropages jardinii) is a cool freshwater fish. It's also known as the Australian bonytongue or northern saratoga. This fish lives naturally in parts of Australia and New Guinea.
It's one of two types of Australian arowanas. The other is the Southern saratoga (Scleropages leichardti). People sometimes call the Gulf saratoga by other names like "toga" or even "barramundi." But be careful! It's not the same as the famous barramundi perch. The Gulf saratoga belongs to a very old group of bony fish called arowanas.
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Where the Gulf Saratoga Lives
The Gulf saratoga can be found in different places. It lives mainly in the rivers and streams that flow into the Gulf of Carpentaria. This area stretches west to the Adelaide River in the Northern Territory. You can also find it across northern Queensland and in New Guinea.
This fish likes calm, clear water. It often lives in still pools and billabongs. It also enjoys the slow-moving parts of streams. Good news! This fish is not considered endangered or threatened. This means there are enough of them in the wild.
What the Gulf Saratoga Looks Like
The Gulf saratoga has a long, dark body. It has seven rows of large scales. Each scale has several reddish or pinkish spots. These spots are shaped like a crescent moon. They make the fish look shiny and pearly.
It also has big, wing-like pectoral fins. These fins help it move through the water. This fish looks a lot like the Asian arowana (S. formosus). However, the Gulf saratoga has duller colors and smaller scales.
It can grow to be about 90 centimeters (35 inches) long. The heaviest one recorded was around 17.2 kilograms (38 pounds). Some reports even suggest they can weigh up to 27 kilograms (60 pounds)! Adult Gulf saratogas are quite strong. Their body depth is about 25-28% of their total length. This makes them more solid than their Australian cousin, S. leichardti.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Like other arowanas, the Gulf saratoga is a mouthbrooder. This means the parent carries the young in its mouth. This protects the baby fish until they are ready to swim on their own. For the Gulf saratoga, it's usually the female fish that holds the young in her mouth. This is different from the Asian arowana, where the male often does this.
Sometimes, people in Asia might try to sell Gulf saratogas as "golden arowanas." This is because they look similar. But you can tell them apart easily. Gulf saratogas have red spotted fins. They also have 7-8 rows of scales on their body.
What the Gulf Saratoga Eats
Gulf saratogas are carnivores. This means they eat other animals. They are also "opportunistic." This means they will eat whatever food they can find. Their diet includes insects that live in water or on land. They also eat small fish and crustaceans like shrimp or crabs.
