Aquatic Leiopotheropon unicolor (Spangled Perch)

[Hairyman]

Scientific Name: Leiopotheropon unicolor

Common Name: Spangled Perch

Order: Perciformes

Family: Terapontidae (Grunters and Tigerperches)

Other Names: Spangled Grunter, Jewel Perch, Bobby Perch, Trout Cod

Distribution: N.NSW, all of Qld and NT, N.WA and central WA.

Habitat: Forest streams, bore drains, ponds, lakes,billabongs, large rivers and lakes.
Water from 5c to 44c, Fresh to sea water. pH 4.0 to 8.6.

Identifying Feature: Slender grunter.
Colour brown to steely blue with numerous bronze/brown spots.
Single dorsal fin has notch between spinous and soft rayed portions.
Tail slightly forked.

Field Notes: Small to medium fish 150mm to200mm sometimes to 300mm.
Very hardy fish.
Fishing: Takes a wide variety of baits lures and flys.
Good to eat but general small size means bones are a problem.

Source: NFA http://www.nativefish.asn.au/spangledperch.html


Photo by Hairyman

 

[Eugenio Coscarelli]

Spangled Perch is a remarkably hardy species that may be capable of surviving droughts by aestivating in wet mud or under moist litter on the bottom of ephemeral waterholes. However, conclusive evidence is lacking. Spawning occurs on summer nights (November onwards) when water temperatures reach 20 - 26C. Fish move upstream in rivers or to the shallows in lakes and ponds to spawn on soft substrates. The eggs hatch in two days and larval development is complete in about 24 days.
Source: Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia (page 227) by GR Allen, et al

 

[Hairyman]

They are tough alright, I found the above fish crossing a road in just a few mm of water.
Not even enough to cover him when on his side.
I scooped him up and helped him on his way.....hope it was the side he was heading to.