42KK jpeg 250mm (10in) TL. Murray-Darling golden perch from the Langlo River, Charleville, Queensland, Murray-Darling Drainage Basin. Peter Unmack photo.

Taxonomy

They were recently recognised as being a separate species to Murray-Darling golden perch (M. ambigua ambigua) by Musyl & Keenan (1993), although it was not described. Two subspecies exist, one which is restricted to the Lake Eyre Drainage Division (this one) and one that is restricted to the Bulloo River System (the following species description). Both subspecies are undescribed.

Size

It is the largest species found in central Australia. They grow to around 600mm (2ft) TL and 5.6kg (12lb) in the Lake Eyre Drainage Division, compared to Murray-Darling golden perch which reach 760mm (30in) TL and 23kg (54lb).

Conservation Status

Not listed.

Distribution & Abundance

Widespread and abundant in the Cooper Creek, Diamantina, and Georgina River Systems.

Habitat & Ecology

They are typically found in large permanent and semi-permanent waterholes in the major rivers and their larger tributaries. Many aspects of their ecology are likely to be similar to Murray-Darling golden perch. Murray-Darling golden perch have been known to migrate up to 2,300km (1,400mi) (Reynolds 1983), one of the longest migrations recorded by any fully freshwater fish. It is likely that Lake Eyre golden perch make similar migrations although of shorter distance because the rivers are shorter.

Reproduction

All biological information is based upon Murray-Darling golden perch, although it is likely to be similar to this species. Golden perch spawn during a flood at temperatures over 23°C (73°F). They typically produce between 100,000 and 1,000,000 pelagic eggs depending upon the size of the female. Golden perch are one of few freshwater fish in the world known to lay pelagic eggs (Merrick & Schmida 1984).

Threats

This is a major angling species which makes it prone to illegal fishing, thus large numbers may be caught and removed threatening the species when waterholes are getting scarce (drying up). A small controversial commercial fishery also exists in the lower Cooper Creek in South Australia.

Conservation Action

Not relevant

Conservation Recommendations

Undertake further work to clarify taxonomic status of this species. Undertake basic biological and ecological studies.

Important References

Merrick, J. R. & Schmida, G. E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes: Biology and Management. Griffith Press Ltd. 409pp.

Musyl, M. K. & Keenan, C. P. 1992. Population genetics and zoogeography of Australian freshwater golden perch, Macquaria ambigua (Richardson 1845) (Teleostei: Percichthyidae), and electrophoretic identification of a new species from the Lake Eyre Basin. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. 43(6): 1585-1601.

Reynolds, L. F. 1983. Migration patterns of five fish species in the Murray-Darling River system. Australian Journal of Freshwater and Marine Research. 34(6): 857-871.

This file was last modified:  18 March 2003