Animal Species:Pearl Perch, Glaucosoma scapulare (Ramsay, 1881)

The Pearl Perch has a blue-black to grey bony shield projecting from under the upper operculum. The species is an excellent table fish that occurs in eastern Australian coastal waters to depths of 90 m.

A Pearl Perch off Rainbow Beach

A Pearl Perch off Rainbow Beach
Dave Harasti © Dave Harasti

Alternative Name/s

Bull-eye, Epaulette-fish, Nannygai, Pearly

Identification

The Pearl Perch can be recognised by its supracleithrum, the bone that projects as a blue-black to grey bony shield from under the upper operculum. If the thin layer of skin covering the supracleithrum is removed, the pearly-white bone is revealed. The colouration of the supracleithrum is the origin of the common name of this fish.

The Pearl Perch has a robust body, a large mouth and a second dorsal fin which is higher than the first. The body is silvery to grey, and each scale has a small golden brown spot. There is a dark spot at the base of the last dorsal fin rays. A brown line passes diagonally through the eye of juveniles.

Size range

It grows to 70 cm in length.

Distribution

It is endemic to Australia, occurring from the central coast of Queensland to the central New South Wales coast.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Pearl Perch specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species lives in coastal waters to depths of 90 m.

Economic/social impacts

The Pearl Perch is a commercial species, which is mostly caught on lines. It is an excellent table fish.

Classification

Species:
scapulare
Genus:
Glaucosoma
Family:
Glaucosomatidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. 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.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. McKay, R.J. 1997. FAO Species Catalogue. Volume 17. Pearl Perches of the World (family Glaucosomatidae). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the pearl perches known to date. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. Rome. Pp. 26.
  4. Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & R.D. Ward. 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook, an identification guide to domestic species. CSIRO Marine Research. Pp. 461.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Pearl Perch, Glaucosoma scapulare, Glaucosomatidae,