Hephaestus transmontanus (Mees & Kailola, 1977)
Sepik grunter
Northern grunter

Family:  Terapontidae (Grunters or tigerperches)
Max. size:  12.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Oceania: Ramu and Sepik River systems of northern Papua New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 10-11
Biology:  Common in rainforest creeks flowing through hilly or mountainous terrain. Occur at altitude of 120-1500 m. Eggs are guarded and fanned by the male parent (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 June 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Known from Ramu and Sepik River systems. Also found in the Ramu main stream in the upper Ramu Valley upstream of the Brahman Mission Bridge. Occurs in most creeks in the Torricelli Mountain range and its foothills on the northern side of the Sepik watershed and on the southern side in the Jimmi River and some of its tributaries, including the Baiyer River. Also Ref. 6192, 13533.


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