Occur inshore, in mangrove areas; in lotic and lentic freshwater bodies (Ref. 7300). Live in coastal marine waters, but also found in estuaries and freshwater sections of rivers (particularly in temperate southern latitudes) (Ref. 44894). Benthic omnivore, juveniles feed on algae and a range of small crustaceans, while older fish prey mainly on polychaetes (Ref. 34016). Eggs are guarded and fanned by the male parent (Ref. 205).