Records of the Western Australian Museum 17 : 325-329 ( 1995 ). 
Description of a new species of hardyhead, Craterocephalus fistularis, 
(Pisces: Atherinidae) from Irian Jaya 
L.E.L.M. Crowley, W. Ivantsoff 1 and G.R. Allen 2 
1 School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109 
2 Western Australian Museum, Francis Street, Perth, 6000 
Abstract - A new species of hardyhead, Craterocephalus fistularis , is described 
from Lake Kamakawaiar (Triton Lakes 3°47’S 134°14'E) in Irian Jaya. This 
fish is distinctive with upper and lower jaws slightly extended, giving the 
mouth a flute or funnel-like appearance. The scales covering body and head 
are crenulated. It has no external dentition; its teeth are small and not visible 
when the mouth is closed. Its lips are thick with a very thick labial ligament 
lying alongside the dentary. The new species is aligned with the C. 
stercusmuscarum group. Superficially, it resembles Craterocephalus lacustris 
but differs from that species and from all other members of the genus 
osteologically and meristically. 
INTRODUCTION 
Until about 1986, only 12 species of 
Craterocephalus (hardyheads) were known. In the 
next eight years extensive collecting and systematic 
work on this genus had, by 1990, increased the 
number to 24 with only one of these 
(Craterocephalus nouhuysi) being found in Irian Jaya. 
The new species, Craterocephalus fistularis, was 
collected from a lacustrine habitat. Lake 
Kamakawaiar (3°47'S 134°14'E) in western in Irian 
Jaya. 
The genus Craterocephalus has been divided into 
three groups by Ivantsoff et al. (1987), Crowley and 
Ivantsoff (1988; 1992), and Crowley (1991). The 
external morphology and osteology align the new 
species with the C. stercusmuscarum group. The 
distinguishing external characters of this group 
include a relatively slender body (when compared 
with C. eyresii group) and thin body scales. The 
dark midlateral band running from snout to caudal 
peduncle, which is generally characteristic of the C. 
stercusmuscarum group, is, however, only faintly 
visible in the new species running from the pectoral 
fin origin to caudal peduncle. Craterocephalus 
fistularis shares with members of the C. 
stercusmuscarum group fused 5th ceratobranchial 
bones, urohyal with ventral pocket and wings, 
pectoral girdle with small scapular foramen and 
corocoid shelf present and well developed 
interdorsal pterygiophores (For detail see Crowley 
and Ivantsoff 1992) 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
Two specimens were available for morphometric 
measurements and meristic counts. One specimen 
was cleared and stained for osteological analysis 
after measurements and counts had been made. 
Clearing and staining followed the methods of 
Taylor (1967). Measurements and counts follow the 
methods of Ivantsoff et al. (1987). Results in Table 1 
compare the new species with its potentially closest 
relative, C. lacustris, from Lake Kutubu in Papua 
New Guinea. 
SYSTEMATICS 
Craterocephalus fistularis sp. nov. 
Figure 1 
Holotype 
MZB 6114 (76.6 mm SL) Lake Kamakawaiar, 
(3°47'S 134°14'E), Triton Lakes, Irian Jaya. Collected 
by Dr. G.R. Allen and D. Price, 14 May 1991. Seine 
in shallow water (0.5-1.5 m) along the eastern 
shore, near the southern tip of the lake. 
Paratype 
WAM P.30519-002 (58.5 mm SL) data as for 
holotype. This specimen was cleared and stained 
for osteological analysis 
Diagnosis 
Moderately robust freshwater fish, mouth small, 
gape very restricted. Labial ligament and lips very 
thick (Figure 2A). Lips with continuous flap at free 
edge. Gill rakers in lower gill arch (14-15) short 
and stumpy, with minute spinules. Transverse 
scales 8.5. Predorsal scales 22-23. Body scales 
crenulated and almost square (Figure 2E). Scales 
covering interopercle as far as vertical through 
anterior edge of orbit. Infraorbitals very broad 
