ANIMAL SPECIES:Estuary Perch, Macquaria colonorum (Gunther, 1863)
As its standard name implies, the Estuary Perch is usually found in coastal lakes and rivers. It is commonly confused with the Australian Bass.
Alternative Name/s
The species has also been called the Brackish Water Perch, Estuarine Perch and Gippsland Perch.Identification
The Estuary Perch is greyish above, silvery on the sides and white below. Its fins are darker than the body colour. The species looks similar to the Australian Bass but has a concave dorsal head profile rather than the straight dorsal head profile of the Australian Bass.
Size range
The species grows to about 75 cm in length and a weight of 10 kg. Specimens are more commonly seen to 40 cm and 3 kg.Distribution
The Estuary Perch is endemic to Australia, occurring in coastal drainages and estuarine waters from northern New South Wales around the south east coast to eastern South Australia. It is also recorded from northern Tasmania.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Estuary Perch specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
It is usually found in coastal lakes and rivers.
Behaviour and adaptations
Life cycle
Adults occur in coastal drainages of south-eastern Australia from the Richmond River, NSW (28º53´S) to the Murray River, SA (139ºE). They are catadromous, generally inhabiting estuaries and tidal reaches of rivers and they move to estuary mouths to spawn during winter. A full description of the Larval Estuary Perch can be found here.
Classification
- Species:
- colonorum
- Genus:
- Macquaria
- Family:
- Percichthyidae
- Order:
- Perciformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240.
- Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
- 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.
- Harris, J.H. & S.J. Rowland in McDowall, R.M. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books. Pp. 247.
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An Estuary Perch caught at Apple Tree Bay View full size
Eric Ren
© Eric Ren
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