Congoli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Congoli |
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| Waite, Edgar R. (1921). Illustrated Catalogue of the Fishes of South Australia. Freshwater and Marine Image Bank. | |
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The congoli (Pseudaphritis urvillii) is a fascinating fish. People also call it the freshwater flathead or tupong. It has many other names too, like marble fish and sandy whiting. This unique fish is the only species in its entire family, called Pseudaphritidae. It's also the only species in its genus, Pseudaphritis.
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Discovering the Congoli: Its Scientific Name
Scientists give every living thing a special two-part name. This helps everyone know exactly which creature they are talking about. The congoli's scientific name is Pseudaphritis urvillii.
A French scientist named Achille Valenciennes first described this fish in 1832. He initially called it Aphritis urvillii. Later, another French scientist, Francis de La Porte Castelnau, gave it the name Pseudaphritis in 1872. This new name was needed because the old one was already used for a type of fly!
The name Pseudaphritis means "false aphritis." Aphritis was a name used long ago for small fish like anchovies. The second part of its name, urvillii, honors a famous explorer, Jules Dumont d'Urville. He led an expedition where this fish was first found.
In 1929, an Australian fish expert, Allan Riverstone McCulloch, created the family name Pseudaphritidae for this fish. This shows how unique the congoli is, as it's the only species in its genus and family!
Where the Congoli Lives: Its Home in Australia
The congoli fish calls south-eastern Australia home. You can find it in places like Tasmania. It is an endemic species, meaning it naturally lives only in Australia.
This fish is quite adaptable! It lives in fresh water, like rivers and streams. It also thrives in brackish water, which is a mix of fresh and salty water, often found in estuaries. Sometimes, you can even find it in salty ocean waters.
Congoli prefer slow-moving water. They like to hide among fallen logs, under banks, and in piles of leaves. The water temperature where they live usually stays between 5 and 20 degrees Celsius (41 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit).
Congoli Sightings and Recovery
In 2017, people found congoli in five rivers on Kangaroo Island for the first time. This exciting discovery happened thanks to a special project. Many volunteers helped scientists look for these fish.
The congoli, also known as tupong, has also made a great comeback in the Glenelg River in Victoria. They were missing from this river for many years, so their return is good news!
What Does a Congoli Look Like?
The congoli is a slim fish with a unique, mottled pattern. Its belly is usually a shiny silvery-white color. Its head is a bit flat, and its eyes are on top, giving it a good view upwards. It also has a pointed snout.
This fish has two separate fins on its back, called dorsal fins. Its color can change depending on where it lives. Some congoli might be bluish, purplish, or reddish-brown. They often have marbled patterns of greenish-brown on their upper bodies. Their undersides are usually yellowish-white or silvery. Young congoli fish have distinct black markings on their backs.
Most adult congoli grow to about 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) long. However, some larger ones have been found, reaching up to 36 centimeters (14 inches) in length!
What the Congoli Eats
The congoli is a meat-eating fish, also known as a carnivore. It's an "ambush predator," which means it hides and waits for its food.
Its diet changes a bit depending on where it lives. In fresh water, it loves to eat insects. In estuaries, where fresh and salt water mix, it often eats crustaceans like small crabs or shrimp. It also enjoys eating other small fish, worms, molluscs, and various other small creatures without backbones, called invertebrates.
How the Congoli Behaves
The congoli is a clever hunter. It is an "ambush predator." This means it likes to hide and wait for its prey to come close. It often buries itself in the sand or mud at the bottom of the water. This way, it can surprise its meal!
The Congoli's Life Cycle and Reproduction
Congoli have a very interesting way of reproducing. They are known as catadromous fish. This means they live most of their adult lives in fresh water.
When it's time to lay eggs, the adult congoli make a special journey. They swim downstream towards estuaries and the sea. This migration happens between late April and August. Once the eggs hatch, the tiny baby fish, called larvae, are carried out to sea. As they grow bigger, they slowly swim back upstream into the rivers. The largest adult congoli are usually found furthest up the rivers.
Congoli and People
For a long time, Aboriginal peoples in the areas where congoli live have eaten this fish. Today, many people still think congoli meat tastes "excellent."
However, congoli are usually not very big. Because of their size, they are not a major fish for commercial fishing anymore. In the past, they were a small part of the fishing industry in the lower Murray region.
