Macquarie perch
📖 Overview
Occurs in lakes and flowing streams usually in deep holes with rock or gravel substrates . Inhabits cool, clear water of rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Prefers slow-flowing, deep rocky pools. Solitary, swimming near the bottom or in mid-water, but form small shoals during the spawning season (October to December) . Forms large shoals near shore. Fry feeds on zooplankton; adult on aquatic insects, crustaceans and mollusks. Male matures at 20 cm (2 y), female at 30 cm (3 y). Spawns upstream in spring or early summer; eggs hatch in 13-18 days; larvae of 7 cm TL . Moves into areas just upstream of shallow riffles over gravel or rocky bottoms to spawn. The female releases demersal eggs which sink into cracks in the substrate. Fish in reservoirs move into flowing feeder streams to spawn. Sexual maturity is reached after 2 years (20 centimeters) for males, 3 years (30 centimeters) for females . Tolerates temp. down to 9°C . Infected by nematodes and copepod Lernaea cyprinacea .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11; Vertebrae: 28 - 31. : short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Macquarie perch is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Macquarie perch is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Return to same river or lake site to spawn each year. Sexually segregated schools (uniform size & age-bet. 4-10 y) migrate upstream: female groups some days or weeks in advance. Most abundant in lakes fed by suitable shallow streams with rock or gravel substrates. Male nudges female vent region; eggs released, fertilized. Eggs turn transparent, increase to 4.0 mm diameter, are spherical, adhesive and demersal and are swept downstream lodging in boulders and pebbles. Hatching in 10-18 days (11-18°C). Larvae shelter in boulders.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous ; depth range 0 - 4 m. Temperate; 4°C - 25°C ; 34°S - 37°S South Wales, Australia.
🌿 Ecology
zooplankton; adult on aquatic insects, crustaceans and mollusks
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Macquaria Australasica is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Macquarie perch is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Macquarie perch has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 3 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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