Description
Barcoo grunter is one of Australia’s many grunters. It
is a heavily built fish with a small head. They are generally
uniformly brownish-black. The fins are usually darker in colour
than the body. These fish can be distinguished by their anal
fin which has 8 rays. The Barcoo grunter can grow to 35cm.
Habitat/distribution
Barcoo grunter is a freshwater species and has a wide distribution.
It takes its name from the Barcoo River & ranges from the
Gilbert River and its tributaries in northern Queensland, to
the Cooper Creek and Lake Eyre drainage of central Australia
and through the Bulloo and Bancannia Rivers, Barkley Basin,
Limmen Bight, Roper and Macarthur regions of the Northern Territory.
Hatchery-reared fingerlings have been stocked at Jericho Waterholes,
Jericho.
Confusing
Species
Barcoo grunter closely resemble two other terapontid species
found in adjoining drainage’s of the Murray-Darling system.
These are the Welch’s grunter (Bidyanus welchi)
and the Silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus).
The way to pick a Barcoo grunter from a Welch's grunter or Silver
perch, is commonly easy. The Barcoo grunter commonly have one
or more black spots on their sides that the Welch's grunter
& Silver perch dont. However Barcoo grunter occasionally
lack any spots at all.
Regulations
In Qld a combined bag limit of 10 fish, comprising any combination
of Barcoo Grunter, Silver perch & Welch's grunter is permitted
in possession. (Combined due to the confusion between species)
Minimum size limit = 30cm
Aquaculture
In recent years Barcoo Grunter have been successfully bred
for the aquarium trade & for human consumption. They are
marketted as Jade Perch. The species is proving to be a superiour
table species compared to some other Australian native fish
with higher growth rates and containing high levels of Emega
3 fatty acids. For enquiries about purchasing Barcoo Grunter
/ Jade Perch contact the Ausyfish Pty Ltd at Email.
The
above images show the variation in coloration. The 2nd image from
the left shows a Silver Perch above & Barcoo Grunter below.
Some
of the above information & images courtesy - Qld PDI&F,
Ausyfish
Pty Ltd & Rod
Harrison
