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Silver Perch
Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell, 1838)
Above and below: 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. Photo: J. Pogonoski © NSW Department of Primary Industries. View larger image.
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.
This 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 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. It prefers fast-flowing waters but is also known from rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Related links
Further reading
- 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.
