Silver Perch photos and information

Silver Perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) Photographs and Information

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Scientific Name	Bidyanus bidyanus
Location	Murray and Darling Rivers, Australia, also N.E. New South Wales, S.E. QLD, also farmed.
Season	All year round
Size	to 1 kg
Australian Species Code	37 321008
Taste, Texture	white, relatively firm flesh. Mild taste.

Information about Silver Perch (Bidyanus bidyanus):

A freshwater fish native to the Murray/Darling river system in Australia. Wild populations are also located in north east New South Wales and south east Queensland. Small communities are found in Victoria. Silver Perch is also farmed.

Silver Perch live in fresh water. In lakes, reservoirs, streams and rivers. They can survive in water with temperatures ranging from 2�C to 35�C. Optimum growth rates occur between 23-28�C and growth is negligible below 12�C.

Silver Perch are suited to aquaculture because of their high survival and rapid growth rates. Commercial production normally occurs in purpose built earthen ponds. Recommended pond size is 0.3 to 0.4 of a hectare surface area with depths of 0.7 to 1.5 metres. The ponds should be easily drainable and have a concrete sump to assist in the harvest of stock.

In their natural habitat, Silver Perch spawn during the summer floods when water temperatures are above 20�C. A 1.5kg fish may produce up to 500,000 eggs. Males are difficult to distinguish from femaels by external examination. However Females are usually larger and more round when spawning. At spawning two or three male fish may follow the female near the surface of the water and activity and speed increase at spawning when fish may thrash the water surface.

Eggs are spherical, amber coloured at first but colourless and transparent later, approximately 3m in diameter, non-adhesive and pelagic, but will come to rest on the bottom in still water. Eggs hatch within 30 hours at temperatures between 22�C and 31�C. Fry begin to feed about 5 days after hatching.

Silver Perch are omnivores consuming zooplankton, small crustaceans, aquatic insects, molluscs, algae and plant material. Juvenile Silver Perch preferentially feed on crustaceans and zooplankton with the proportion of algae and plant material increasing with age.

Silver Perch are a good sportfish on light tackle. Successful baits include artificial flies, lures, worms, yabbies and shrimps.

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