ANIMAL SPECIES:Silver Perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell, 1838)
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.
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.
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.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.
Habitat
It prefers fast-flowing waters but is also known from rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
Classification
- Species:
- bidyanus
- Genus:
- Bidyanus
- Family:
- Terapontidae
- 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.
- Merrick, J.R. 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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