ANIMAL SPECIES:Australian Bass, Macquaria novemaculeata (Steindachner, 1866)
Often found far upstream in freshwater, the Australian Bass eats fishes, crustaceans and other invertebrates such as insects. It is a very popular recreational angling species.
Alternative Name/s
Freshwater perch, Eastern Freshwater Perch, PerchIdentification
The Australian Bass can be recognised by a combination of characters including an evenly arched dorsal profile, a snout that is straight or slightly concave and a forked caudal fin. It has a protruding lower jaw, moderately large eyes and a notch between the spiny first dorsal fin and the soft-rayed second dorsal fin.
The species is dark olive-green or greyish on the back and sides with darker scale margins. The belly is silvery or whitish, and the fins are mostly dusky brown to black. The tips of the anal and pelvic fins are white. Juvenile fish under 12 cm long are banded and have a dark blotch on the gill cover.
Size range
It grows to 60 cm (3.8 kg) in length, but fishes of 35 cm (1 kg) are more commonly seen.Similar Species
Four species of Macquaria are recorded from Australia. The Estuary Perch, Macquaria colonorum, looks similar to the Australian Bass, but has a longer snout which is concave in profile. The Macquarie Perch, Macquaria australasica, has a rounded to truncate caudal fin and jaws of equal length in larger specimens. The Golden Perch, Macquaria ambigua, can be recognised by its protruding lower jaw and the strongly concave head profile of larger specimens.Distribution
It is recorded in coastal rivers, lakes and estuaries of eastern Australia from Fraser Island, Queensland to Wilson's Promontory, Victoria.
It can migrate considerable distances upstream and has been historically recorded up to an altitude of 600 m in the Hawkesbury River drainage, New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Australian Bass specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
In recent years, population sizes have declined as building of dams and weirs has made potential habitats inaccessible. River regulation is reported to interfere with spawning cues.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
The Australian Bass eats fishes, crustaceans and other invertebrates such as insects.
Mating and reproduction
In winter, adults migrate downstream to estuaries to breed.
Living with us
Economic/social impacts
The Australian Bass is a very popular recreational angling species.
Classification
- Species:
- novemaculeata
- Genus:
- Macquaria
- Family:
- Percichthyidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240.
- Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
- Harris, J.H. & S.J. Rowland in McDowall, R.M. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books. Pp. 247.
- Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.
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An Australian Bass at the Bellinger River View full size
Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw
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