Syncomistes bonapartensis

Syncomistes bonapartensis is distinguished from all congeners within the Syncomistes complex by a combination of the following characters: both adults and juveniles with lower jaw rounded anteriorly making a ‘U-shape’ when viewed from below; mouth slightly oblique; teeth broad and large relative to Syncomistes, flat, asymmetric, margins convex posteriorly and straight to slightly concave anteriorly, widest point closest to midpoint of tooth, apical region tapered to slight point; usually with 7-8 slightly wavy brown stripes running horizontally along body sides; usually with < 11 gill rakers on the upper arch and < 30 in total; and usually with ? 6.0 teeth per mm of jaw (Ref. 119336).

Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8 - 10; Vertebrae: 25

Prefers deeper portions of slow-flowing creeks and rivers, as well as billabongs. Inhabits clear and turbid waters, over muddy to rocky substrates, often where algae is abundant. Adults occur in shoals around snags. Juveniles are mostly found in riffle habitat. Sympatric with Syncomistes holsworthi, S. kimberleyensis, S. rastellus and S. trigonicus. Feeds mainly on filamentous algae along with some detritus and invertebrates. Attains sexual maturity at 120-140 mm and spawns in wet season. Eggs are large about 3 mm and non-adhesive (Ref. 119336).