Golden Perch Click to enlarge image
A Golden Perch at a depth of 3m, Blowering Dam, New South Wales, 16 November 2008. Image: Sascha Schulz
© Sascha Schulz

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Macquaria
    Species
    ambigua
    Family
    Percichthyidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 76 cm in length (23 kg) but is more common to 40 cm to 50 cm and 5 kg.
  • Habitats
    freshwater

Introduction

Large Golden Perch have a distinctly yellow belly, hence one of the common names. Golden Perch is, however, the standard name for the species.



Identification

Large fish are brown to greenish above and yellow below. They have a concave forehead, a protruding lower jaw and a truncate caudal fin. Juveniles are more silvery coloured with grey mottling on the sides.

Habitat

Golden Perch are found in a range of habitat types, most commonly in slow-moving stretches of streams, lakes and backwaters.

Distribution

The species is restricted to freshwaters of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.


Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Breeding behaviours

Spawning occurs at night in flooded backwaters after spring and summer rain.

Economic impacts

It is a highly prized angling species.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240.
  2. Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
  3. McDowall, R.M. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books. Pp. 247.
  4. Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.