Silver Perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell, 1838)

Scientific name: Bidyanus bidyanus
Alternative name/s:
Bidyan, Bidyan Grunter, Black Bream, Grunter, Murray Bream, Murray Perch, Silver Bream, Sooty Grunter, Tcheri
Silver Perch, Bidyanus bidyanus Click to enlarge image
A 36 cm long Silver Perch caught by New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, using a boat electrofisher, in March 2005. The fish was caught at a depth of 3 m, upstream of Narrandera, Murrumbidgee River, New South Wales, March 2005. It was released after being measured. Image: John Pogonoski
© NSW Department of Primary Industries

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Bidyanus
    Species
    bidyanus
    Family
    Terapontidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 40 cm in length and 8 kg in weight, however 30 cm and 1.5 kg individuals are more commonly seen.

The Silver Perch is a has a small head and small scales. The species is endemic to Australia.

Identification

The Silver Perch is a moderately elongate fish with a small head and small scales. Colouration varies with water conditions. Adults are often silver-grey with darker scale margins but they can be greenish, brown or golden. The belly is white and the median fins are grey. The pelvic fins are usually white.

Habitat

It prefers fast-flowing waters but is also known from rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

Distribution

The Silver Perch is endemic to Australia. It occurs naturally in freshwaters throughout much of the Murray-Darling Drainage of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. It has been introduced into the Lake Eyre Basin and coastal river systems of south-eastern Queensland, New South Wales and south-western Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.

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. Merrick, J.R. in McDowall, R.M. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books. Pp. 247.
  5. Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.