Jungle Perch, Kuhlia rupestris (Lacépède, 1802)

Scientific name: Kuhlia rupestris
Alternative name/s:
Buffalo Bream, Mountain Trout, Rock Flagtail
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    26/03/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Jungle Perch, <i>Kuhlia rupestris</i> Click to enlarge image
A Jungle Perch, Kuhlia rupestris, at a depth of 0.5m, Eli Creek, Fraser Island, Queensland, 25 June 2012. Image: Shaun Morris
© Shaun Morris

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Kuhlia
    Species
    rupestris
    Family
    Kuhliidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 40 cm in length.

Introduction

The Jungle Perch is brown to olive above, silvery on the sides and white below. It occurs from Cape York south to southern Queensland.

Identification

The Jungle Perch is brown to olive above, silvery on the sides and white below. There are numerous dusky or red-brown spots on the side of the body. The tail has a black blotch on each caudal fin lobe. Its has cycloid scales.

Cycloid scales of Jungle Perch, Kuhlia rupestris.

Cycloid scales of Jungle Perch, Kuhlia rupestris.

Image: Carl Bento
© Australian Museum

Distribution

In Australia it is known from Cape York south to southern Queensland.

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

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

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. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Hutchison, M, Simpson, R, Elizur, A, Willett, D & A. Collins. 2002. Restoring jungle perch Kuhlia rupestris recreational fisheries to South-east Queensland. A Pilot Study. Department of Primary Industries, Queensland. Pp 1-10.
  5. Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.