Flinders Ranges mogurnda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flinders Ranges mogurnda |
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The Mogurnda clivicola, also known as the Flinders Ranges mogurnda, is a cool fish from central Australia. It's a type of gudgeon, which is a small, bottom-dwelling fish. You might also hear it called the Flinders Ranges purple-spotted gudgeon, Barcoo mogurnda, or Bulloo mogurnda.
Where They Live
Flinders Ranges mogurndas are found in a special place: the Gammon Ranges National Park in South Australia. This area is very dry, but these fish live in creeks that are always full of water because of natural springs. These creeks often flow through very steep, rocky canyons.
The fish usually live in separate pools of water. Sometimes, big floods happen, and the water level can change by several meters! This means their home can look very different after a flood.
These fish have also been found in other places, like the Barcoo and Bulloo Rivers in Queensland. These rivers are quite different from the rocky creeks of the Gammon Ranges. They are larger and have muddy bottoms.
What They Look Like
Flinders Ranges mogurndas are medium-sized fish, growing up to about 13 centimeters long. They are usually dark with fine grey blotches on their upper side. Their fins are a bit see-through, and their underside is often a lighter color.
One cool thing about them is the burnt orange stripes on their cheeks, which look a bit like warpaint! They also have burnt orange spots along their sides, mixed with paler spots. There's usually a single darker spot near their tail.
When it's summer, the male fish get amazing breeding colors. Their orange spots become much brighter, especially along their sides and near their tail. Their fins also get a thin, shiny blue-white stripe, which is really noticeable on their spiny dorsal fin (the one on their back). Males also get a big fatty bump on their heads, making them look a bit rounder.
Sometimes, these fish can get a strange, patchy discoloration, like a mix of dark and light spots. Scientists don't know why this happens.
Life and Habits
In the Flinders Ranges, the Mogurnda clivicola is usually the only fish species you'll find in the rocky pools. They like to rest on shallow shelves in deeper pools, often with their tails to one side. When they do this, they look a lot like fallen gum leaves on the bottom, which helps them hide!
In the Barcoo River, these fish often live with up to 10 other types of fish in the muddy riverbeds.
Big birds are their main predators. These gudgeons are thought to be "ambush predators," meaning they wait quietly for their food to come close before they strike. They probably eat a lot of tadpoles, insects, and other small creatures that live in the water.
Breeding is a special and complicated process that takes several days. These fish start to breed when the water temperature reaches 20 degrees Celsius or higher. The male fish are very protective during this time. They guard the eggs and fan them with their pectoral fins (the fins on their sides) to keep them clean and get fresh water. During breeding season, males can become quite territorial and aggressive, sometimes chasing other fish away from their nesting area.
