CR

Giant Hardyhead

Sashatherina giganteus

Unknown

Overview

Sashatherina giganteus is a species of freshwater silverside endemic to Lake Lakama in West Papua, Indonesia. It grows to 18.0 cm (7.1 in) in total length. This recently described species is the only known member of its genus.

The Giant Hardyhead faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction and water quality degradation in its limited freshwater lake systems in Western Australia. Introduced species and altered hydrology from human activities have further compromised the remaining populations of this critically endangered endemic fish.

Threat summary

Habitat

FRESHWATER· major

Frequently asked questions

Why is Giant Hardyhead classified as Critically Endangered?
Giant Hardyhead is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Giant Hardyhead faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction and water quality degradation in its limited freshwater lake systems in Western Australia. Introduced species and altered hydrology from human activities have further compromised the remaining populations of this critically endangered endemic fish.
Where does Giant Hardyhead live?
Giant Hardyhead occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Giant Hardyhead?
The main threats to Giant Hardyhead are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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