Etymology: Scleropages: Greek, skleros = hard + Greek, page, -es = knot (Ref. 45335).
Asia and Oceania: northern Australia and central-southern New Guinea (Ref. 58511).
Adults occur in still waters of streams and swamps where it is usually seen near the surface or close to shore among aquatic vegetation (Ref. 2847, 44894). Solitary, territorial and spawn prior to the wet season when surface water temperatures approach 30°C (Ref. 44894). Young feed primarily on microcrustaceans (Ref. 2847). Primarily a surface feeder, feeding on a variety of terrestrial and aquatic insects, small fishes, frogs, crustaceans, and some plant material (Ref. 44894). Mouthbrooders (Ref. 56180). Maximum weight reported in Ref. 5259 may be 12.27 kg (W. Lau, pers. Comm. 07/05). Important food fish (Ref. 58511) and a valuable aquarium fish (Ref. 83518).
Fertilized eggs are carried in the mouth of the female. Eggs hatch in 1-2 weeks. Larvae, with their enlarged yolk sac, are kept in or close to the mouth for another 4 or 5 weeks. Young fish commence feeding, primarily on microcrustaceans, at a size of 2-3 cm, well before the yolk sac is entirely resorbed. Become independent at a length of 3.5-4.0 cm.