Author: (Peters, 1852)
FBname: Spot-tail
Comments: Found in shallow and sheltered waters of swampy bays.  Generally restricted to shallow waters where they may be found in various habitats such as over sand, rock or, less frequently, in aquatic weed beds (Ref. 13337).  Common in shallow vegetated areas (Ref. 4967).  Also found in large rivers and floodplain pans and lagoons.  Feeds on insects, tiny fishes, vegetable matters (Ref. 5595) and crustaceans (Ref. 13337).  Main predator is the tigerfish (Ref. 7248).  Breeds in summer, migrating to spawning sites after rains.  Migrates to tributary rivers and floodplains when the rivers come down in spate (Ref. 13337).  Known to mass at river mouths while waiting for suitable conditions to trigger off the breeding migrations upstream (Ref. 13337).  Used as live bait for tigerfish and large catfish (Ref. 13337).  Affinities:  <i>B. carolinae</i>, with lateral stripe; <i>B. nigricauda</i> with wide black margin on caudal fin.