© Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia Full citation Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia: Volume 1 - Bony and Cartilaginous Fishes. Report for the South Australian Working Group for Marine Species of Conservation Concern. J. Baker (consultant); Science and Conservation Division, and Coast and Marine Conservation branches of S.A. Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH); Marine and Coastal Community Network of S.A. (MCCN), and Threatened Species Network (TSN). Web version published by Reef Watch, South Australia.

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ATHERINIDAE: HARDYHEADS

© Author

Species in the Atherinidae family are found in both tropical and temperate marine waters, but there are also some from estuarine areas, and other that enter fresh water (Dyer and Chernoff, 1996).
Members of the Atherinidae are small, slender, elongate fishes, usually not exceeding 15cm in length. The species have relatively large scales, no lateral line, and have two dorsal fins that are well separated, the first of which is entirely spinous (Ivantsoff, in Gomon et al., 1994; Dyer and Chernoff, 1996). The fishes in the family have a mid-lateral stripe of variable colour, and are translucent above, and silvery below the mid-stripe.
There are more than 35 species in Australian waters (CSIRO, 2008). Hardyhead genera recorded in the southern half of Australia include Atherinason, Atherinomorus, Atherinosoma, Craterocephalus (the largely freshwater genus, in which more than 15 species are found in Australia, including some threatened species), Hypoatherina, Kestratherina and Leptatherina (CSIRO, 2008).
Atherinids feed on zooplankton and small, bottom-dwelling invertebrates. Some are an important dietary component of larger fishes, including commercial species (Ivantsoff and Crowley, 1999). Some species in southern Australia have a one-year life cycle, and others live longer. Most of the marine species congregate in large schools in shallow coastal open waters, bays, and estuaries, although there is at least species in southern Australia which extends into deeper waters. A number of species in southern Australia breed in estuaries; others breed in the open sea (Potter et al., 1986). In Victoria and South Australia, hardyheads are caught in large numbers for bait (Ivantsoff, in Gomon et al., 1994).
The common bait species, such as Atherinosoma microstoma, are not considered here. Two species are included in synopses below, both of which are found in estuarine areas and shallow bays, with South Australia at the edge of the distribution. It is noted that an unidentified species of Atherinosoma has been recorded at various estuarine locations in northern Gulf St Vincent, such as Wakefield River; Port Adelaide River - Barket Inlet Estuary; West Lakes, Torrens River and Patawalonga Creek (Gillanders et al. 2008).

Associated taxa

Short-snout Hardyhead	Kestratherina brevirostris Pavlov, Ivantsoff, Last & Crowley, 1988
Pikehead Hardyhead	Kestratherina esox (Klunzinger, 1872)