Balston's Pygmy Perch, Nannatherina balstoni

Scientific name: Nannatherina balstoni
Alternative name/s:
Balston's Perchlet, King River Perchlet
Balston's Pygmy Perch, Nannatherina balstoni Click to enlarge image
Balston's Pygmy Perch, Nannatherina balstoni. Source: Mark Allen / Murdoch University. Image: Mark Allen / Murdoch University.
© Mark Allen / Murdoch University.

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Nannatherina
    Species
    balstoni
    Family
    Percichthyidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    it grows to about 6 cm in length.

Introduction

Balston's Pygmy Perch is brownish above and silvery below. It has stripes and bars that give it a cross-hatched appearance.

Distribution

It is a very rare species that occurs in wetlands in south-western Western 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.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240.
  2. 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.