Kurtus gulliveri Castelnau, 1878
Nurseryfish
photo by Berra, T.M.

Family:  Kurtidae (Nurseryfishes)
Max. size:  63 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  Asia and Oceania: central southern New Guinea and northern Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 44-47
Biology:  Adults inhabit mangrove-nipa swamps, brackish estuaries and slow-flowing turbid rivers. Feed on small fishes, shrimps and crayfish. The male carries the eggs around like a bunch of grapes attached to a hook on the head, called forehead brooding (Ref. 36739, 44894). Esteemed table fish (Ref. 2158).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 February 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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