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Percichthyidae - - Classification -
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Macquaria ambigua
Picture by Yau, B.
Pictures | Google image
Picture by Yau, B.
Australia country information
Common names:
Callop, Freshwater bream, Golden perch
Occurrence: endemic
Salinity: freshwater
Abundance: common (usually seen) | Ref: Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
Importance: commercial | Ref: Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
Aquaculture: commercial | Ref: Kibria, G., P. Lam, R. Fairclough and D. Nugegoda, 1997
Regulations: restricted | Ref: Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
Uses: gamefish: yes;
Comments: Distributed throughout the Murray-Darling river system, except for those streams at altitudes higher than about 600 m. The northern limit of the species' natural distribution is the headwaters of the Georgina River (Ref. 2906). Golden perch also inhabit rivers in the eastern Lake Eyre and Bulloo drainages, the Dawson-Fitzroy river system in south-eastern Queensland and in many of the floodplain lakes of western Victoria and New South Wales. They have been stocked in farm dams and reservoirs outside of their natural range (Ref. 27439). Stock structure: Genetic data from a study (Ref. 27444) indicate that Macquaria ambigua is most probably composed of two different species, with each species comprising two distinct subspecies. Because the type material for M. ambigua is recorded only from localities within the Murray-Darling basin (Ref. 7300), golden perch from central Australia must be regarded as a new species. Until this new species is described formally, it will be referred to as the 'central Australian form of M. ambigua (Ref. 27444). Furthermore, this 'central Australian form' of M. ambigua comprises two subspecies - each from Lake Eyre drainage and Bulloo River. M. ambigua oriens is a subspecies of M. ambigua, from the Fitzroy River (Ref. 27444). Commercial fishery: Golden perch have been part of the catch from the inland fishery since its inception in the mid to late 1800s (Ref. 27446). In the early 1900s they constituted about 25% of the catch, of which the rest was Murray cod, Maccullochella peeli peeli (Ref. 27446). With the decline in Murray cod numbers, golden perch has become the dominant native species in inland catches. The inland fishery is centred on the lower reaches of the Murrumbidgee, Lachlan and Murray rivers and associated floodplain lakes in New South Wales and South Australia. Fishers also work in Lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina in South Australia and lakes and backwaters associated with the Darling River in New South Wales (Ref. 27447, 26403). The fishery is opportunistic, i.e. it operates in response to seasonal flooding. Drum nets and gillnets are used to catch golden perch. Drum nets are the favoured method in rivers. They are checked twice daily when fish are running, less frequently at other times (Ref. 27448). Gillnets are used in the lake fishery and in slow flowing backwaters. The fishery targets adult fish. The catch is strictly for domestic markets and is sold locally (Ref. 27447), or as wet, gutted fish through the Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide fish markets. Recreational fishery: Golden perch are taken by anglers throughout their natural range. Most effort centres on impoundments throughout southeastern Australia that have been artificially stocked. Fishing effort is heaviest in the spring and summer months. In rivers, effort increases during flooding when fish begin to migrate. Large numbers of fish may accumulate below weirs and barriers when migrating and so become easy targets for anglers. Golden perch are caught using handlines, rod-and-line or set lines. Artificial lures have been used but live baits such as worms, yabbies (Cherax species), 'bardi grubs' (burrowing moth and beetle larvae - Lepidoptera) and small fish are more successful. A creel survey of catch in a New South Wales reservoir in 1981-82 estimated a recreational catch of 50 t, equal to 13% of the commercial catch for that year (Ref. 27439). This suggests that the recreational catch is significant. The largest golden perch in the records of the Australian Anglers Association is a 7000 g fish taken in New South Wales in 1975. Resource status: Catches of golden perch fluctuate widely, and abundance is thought to be related to flooding (Ref. 26403). Construction of dams and weirs throughout the Murray-Darling river system has altered both flow and thermal regimes. Changes induced by such barriers in the Murray River flooding regime may also affect catch sizes. Furthermore, because golden perch move extensively, high barriers without facilities for fish passage limit the amount of river available to them. While catches remain good, the range and abundance of golden perch has declined since European settlement (Ref. 27450). Illegal use of drum nets and gillnets in remote western rivers is a major management problem. Also Ref. 2156, 44894.
National Checklist:
Country Information: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/as.html
National Fisheries Authority: http://www.csiro.au/
Occurrences: Occurrences Point map
Main Ref: Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
National Database:
Occurrence: endemic
Salinity: freshwater
Abundance: common (usually seen) | Ref: Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
Importance: commercial | Ref: Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
Aquaculture: commercial | Ref: Kibria, G., P. Lam, R. Fairclough and D. Nugegoda, 1997
Regulations: restricted | Ref: Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
Uses: gamefish: yes;
Comments: Distributed throughout the Murray-Darling river system, except for those streams at altitudes higher than about 600 m. The northern limit of the species' natural distribution is the headwaters of the Georgina River (Ref. 2906). Golden perch also inhabit rivers in the eastern Lake Eyre and Bulloo drainages, the Dawson-Fitzroy river system in south-eastern Queensland and in many of the floodplain lakes of western Victoria and New South Wales. They have been stocked in farm dams and reservoirs outside of their natural range (Ref. 27439). Stock structure: Genetic data from a study (Ref. 27444) indicate that Macquaria ambigua is most probably composed of two different species, with each species comprising two distinct subspecies. Because the type material for M. ambigua is recorded only from localities within the Murray-Darling basin (Ref. 7300), golden perch from central Australia must be regarded as a new species. Until this new species is described formally, it will be referred to as the 'central Australian form of M. ambigua (Ref. 27444). Furthermore, this 'central Australian form' of M. ambigua comprises two subspecies - each from Lake Eyre drainage and Bulloo River. M. ambigua oriens is a subspecies of M. ambigua, from the Fitzroy River (Ref. 27444). Commercial fishery: Golden perch have been part of the catch from the inland fishery since its inception in the mid to late 1800s (Ref. 27446). In the early 1900s they constituted about 25% of the catch, of which the rest was Murray cod, Maccullochella peeli peeli (Ref. 27446). With the decline in Murray cod numbers, golden perch has become the dominant native species in inland catches. The inland fishery is centred on the lower reaches of the Murrumbidgee, Lachlan and Murray rivers and associated floodplain lakes in New South Wales and South Australia. Fishers also work in Lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina in South Australia and lakes and backwaters associated with the Darling River in New South Wales (Ref. 27447, 26403). The fishery is opportunistic, i.e. it operates in response to seasonal flooding. Drum nets and gillnets are used to catch golden perch. Drum nets are the favoured method in rivers. They are checked twice daily when fish are running, less frequently at other times (Ref. 27448). Gillnets are used in the lake fishery and in slow flowing backwaters. The fishery targets adult fish. The catch is strictly for domestic markets and is sold locally (Ref. 27447), or as wet, gutted fish through the Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide fish markets. Recreational fishery: Golden perch are taken by anglers throughout their natural range. Most effort centres on impoundments throughout southeastern Australia that have been artificially stocked. Fishing effort is heaviest in the spring and summer months. In rivers, effort increases during flooding when fish begin to migrate. Large numbers of fish may accumulate below weirs and barriers when migrating and so become easy targets for anglers. Golden perch are caught using handlines, rod-and-line or set lines. Artificial lures have been used but live baits such as worms, yabbies (Cherax species), 'bardi grubs' (burrowing moth and beetle larvae - Lepidoptera) and small fish are more successful. A creel survey of catch in a New South Wales reservoir in 1981-82 estimated a recreational catch of 50 t, equal to 13% of the commercial catch for that year (Ref. 27439). This suggests that the recreational catch is significant. The largest golden perch in the records of the Australian Anglers Association is a 7000 g fish taken in New South Wales in 1975. Resource status: Catches of golden perch fluctuate widely, and abundance is thought to be related to flooding (Ref. 26403). Construction of dams and weirs throughout the Murray-Darling river system has altered both flow and thermal regimes. Changes induced by such barriers in the Murray River flooding regime may also affect catch sizes. Furthermore, because golden perch move extensively, high barriers without facilities for fish passage limit the amount of river available to them. While catches remain good, the range and abundance of golden perch has declined since European settlement (Ref. 27450). Illegal use of drum nets and gillnets in remote western rivers is a major management problem. Also Ref. 2156, 44894.
National Checklist:
Country Information: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/as.html
National Fisheries Authority: http://www.csiro.au/
Occurrences: Occurrences Point map
Main Ref: Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
National Database:
Common names from other countries
Classification / Names Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) > Centrarchiformes (Basses) > Percichthyidae (Temperate perches)
More on author: Richardson.
More on author: Richardson.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 10 - ? m (Ref. 27439). Temperate; 10°C - 30°C (Ref. 2060); 19°S - 38°S
Distribution Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri
Oceania: Australia, Murray-Darling system (except in higher tributaries), Dawson-Fitzroy system of southeastern Queensland. Also in Lake Eyre and Bulloo River drainages and floodplain lakes of Western Victoria and New South Wales. Widely introduced to other coastal systems of Queensland and New South Wales.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 45.0, range 40 - 50 cm
Max length : 76.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894); common length : 45.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5259); max. published weight: 24.0 kg (Ref. 6390); max. reported age: 20 years (Ref. 6390)
Max length : 76.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894); common length : 45.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5259); max. published weight: 24.0 kg (Ref. 6390); max. reported age: 20 years (Ref. 6390)
Golden perch live throughout the river systems, from the clear, fast flowing upper reaches to the turbid, slow flowing lower reaches and associated billabongs and backwaters. They favor deep pools with plenty of cover from fallen timber, rocky ledges or undercut banks (Ref. 27439, 44894). Prefer warm, slow-moving, turbid sections of streams. Also occur in flooded lakes, backwaters and impoundments. Tolerant of temperatures between 4° and 35°C and high salinity levels (up to 35 p.p.t.). Solitary species (Ref. 44894). Their diet is dominated by yabbies (Cherax destructor), and a variety of fish species (Ref. 27439). Juveniles disperse throughout the floodplain to find food and cover (Ref. 27440). They feed on abundant zooplankton on recently inundated floodplains (Ref. 6390, 44894). Adults feed on fishes, mollusks and crayfish (Ref. 44894). Spawn from early spring to late autumn. Golden perch is Australia's most migratory freshwater fish species (Ref. 6390). Spawn in flooded backwaters near the surface at night after heavy spring and summer rains. Usually a long upstream spawning migration is undertaken (movements of 2000 kilometers by tagged fish have been documented). Eggs float near the surface and hatch in 24-36 hours. Males mature after 2-3 years (20-30 centimeters), females after 4 years (40 centimeters) (Ref. 44894). They are being reared by private and government hatcheries in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland (Ref. 27552) and the fry and fingerlings produced from these hatcheries are stocked in public waters and farm dams (Ref. 26869).
Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Under favourable conditions female golden perch are capable of spawning more than once a season (Ref. 27439). However, without suitable environmental cues they may fail to breed in season, with the eggs being resorbed (Ref. 27439). Spawning period is from early spring to late autumn (Ref. 6390). They commonly spawn at night (Ref. 6390).
Main reference
Upload your references | References | Coordinator : Arratia, Gloria | Collaborators
Allen, G.R., 1989. Freshwater fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. (Ref. 5259)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Least Concern (LC) ; Date assessed: 14 February 2019
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes
FAO(Aquaculture systems: production; ; publication : search) | FishSource |
More information
Population dynamics
Growth parameters
Max. ages / sizes
Length-weight rel.
Length-length rel.
Length-frequencies
Mass conversion
Recruitment
Abundance
Growth parameters
Max. ages / sizes
Length-weight rel.
Length-length rel.
Length-frequencies
Mass conversion
Recruitment
Abundance
Life cycle
Reproduction
Maturity
Fecundity
Spawning
Spawning aggregations
Eggs
Egg development
Larvae
Larval dynamics
Reproduction
Maturity
Fecundity
Spawning
Spawning aggregations
Eggs
Egg development
Larvae
Larval dynamics
Anatomy
Gill area
Brain
Otolith
Gill area
Brain
Otolith
Physiology
Body composition
Nutrients
Oxygen consumption
Swimming type
Swimming speed
Visual pigments
Fish sound
Diseases & Parasites
Toxicity (LC50s)
Body composition
Nutrients
Oxygen consumption
Swimming type
Swimming speed
Visual pigments
Fish sound
Diseases & Parasites
Toxicity (LC50s)
Human related
Aquaculture systems
Aquaculture profiles
Strains
Ciguatera cases
Stamps, coins, misc.
Aquaculture systems
Aquaculture profiles
Strains
Ciguatera cases
Stamps, coins, misc.
Tools
E-book | Field guide | Length-frequency wizard | Life-history tool | Point map | Classification Tree
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Special reports
Download XML
Internet sources
Alien/Invasive Species database | Aquatic Commons | BHL | Cloffa | BOLDSystems | Websites from users | Check FishWatcher | CISTI | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | DiscoverLife | ECOTOX | Faunafri | Fishtrace | GenBank(genome, nucleotide) | GloBI | GOBASE | | Google Books | Google Scholar | Google | IGFA World Record | MitoFish | Otolith Atlas of Taiwan Fishes | PubMed | Reef Life Survey | Scirus | SeaLifeBase | Tree of Life | Wikipedia(Go, Search) | World Records Freshwater Fishing | Zoological Record
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82804): PD50 = 0.5625 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01738 (0.00677 - 0.04463), b=3.06 (2.83 - 3.29), in cm Total Length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref. 93245).
Trophic level (Ref. 69278): 3.7 ±0.57 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref. 120179): Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=2-5; tmax=20).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref. 59153): Moderate vulnerability (39 of 100).