Animal Species:Golden Perch, Macquaria ambigua (Richardson, 1845)

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

Alternative Name/s

Callop, Freshwater Bream, Murray Bream, Murray Perch, Perch, Tarki, White Perch, Yellowbelly, Yellowfin Perch

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.

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.

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.

Macquaria ambigua

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Golden Perch specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

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

Habitat type

Freshwater Habitat: freshwater

What does this mean?

Mating and reproduction

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

Economic/social impacts

It is a highly prized angling species.

Classification

Species:
ambigua
Genus:
Macquaria
Family:
Percichthyidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

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.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Golden Perch, Macquaria ambigua, Percichthyidae, Yellowbelly, Callop, Freshwater Bream, Murray Bream, Murray Perch, Perch, Tarki, White Perch, Yellowfin Perch, brown, greenish, yellow underside, concave forehead, juveniles mottled, 30 cm - 1 m, freshwater,