The Australian Bass (scientific name Macquaria novemaculeata) or freshwater
perch can grow to 60 cm long, but are usually seen smaller, around 35 cm long and weigh from 2.5 to 4 kilos. This species is dark olive-green
or silvery, and the belly is whitish. They have brown or grey fins with black
spots. When angry, the chin of the Bass goes a purple colour.
The Australian Bass is also referred as the Freshwater Perch, Eastern Freshwater
Perch, and Perch.
They eat insects, small fish, crustaceans, insect larvae such as mayfly,
caddis fly and dragonfly larvae make up their diet.
They are found living in costal rivers and streams of New South Wales and
Australian Bass move out of freshwater into estuaries during winter to spawn. In
order for their eggs to hatch, bass require a certain amount of sunlight to
incubate their eggs.
Eggs take 13 to 18 days to hatch.
Australian Bass, like most native fish, are long-lived and may live to 20 years.
Causes of decline
Habitat destruction, over-fishing, predators such as trout, changed flow of water
because of damming etc. and disease.