Photo 5351879, (c) Morgan Grant, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Morgan Grant

Attribution © Morgan Grant
some rights reserved
Uploaded by morgangrant morgangrant
Source iNaturalist
Associated observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Barcoo Grunter (Scortum barcoo)

Observer

morgangrant

Date

October 26, 2016

Description

Codey Marchesi caught this fish in a lake in metropolitan Adelaide.

I think it is most likely to be the Barcoo Grunter (Scortum barcoo), also known as a Black Bream (like so many other fish!) - and being caught in a lake in Adelaide metro is very odd. As others have suggested, this could be an aquarium release, and is most unlikely to be a native location for them. Their normal habitat is muddy rivers and waterholes.

The pale stripe under the eye, small scales and presence of dark blotches are all features that lean to that identity. The black botches can be turned on and off at will.

Their alternative name "Jade Perch" is not a "common" name, because it is a commercial name to help market aquaculture product. Barcoo Grunter grow to 380mm and 1.5kg, and have been recorded in localities in SA, NSW, Queensland and the NT.

Associated taxa
Sizes