Scleropages leichardti Günther, 1864
Species overview
Very similar to the other species of Scleropages. Head short, mouth wide, chin with short barble. Pectoral fin very long, pointed, anal fin short, abdominal, originating at about middle of body; base of dorsal short, base of anal fin long; caudal fin large, rounded.
Size observed: up to 90 cm, 4 kg.
Taxonomic description
The number of scales in the lateral line is 32-35. They are greenish-grey to brown on the back and silvery-green on the flanks. S. leichardti has one or two orange-red spots on each scale. The fins are similar to, or darker than its body colour. S. leichardti has numerous small spots in lines. The spots may be yellow to orange to red depending on the individual fish. The more northern species (S. jardini ) commonly shows a pattern of lines and or dots on and bordering its gill plate, this is absent in the more southern species (S. leichardti ).
Type locality
>Fitzroy River<; eastern Australia.
Distribution
Fitzroy River system, type locality, eastern Australia, just at tropic of Capricorn.