Australian Bass, Percalates novemaculeata (Steindachner 1866)

Other Names: Australian Perch, Eastern Freshwater Perch, Freshwater Perch, Perch

Summary:

A greenish to silver-grey bass becoming paler below, with dark grey dorsal, anal, caudal and pelvic fins. Juveniles usually have dark blotches on the fins. Australian Bass have a straight to slightly convex upper head profile, a relatively large eye, a short snout and a slightly forked tail.

Video of Australian Bass in the wild.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. & Thompson, V.J. 2025, Percalates novemaculeata in Fishes of Australia, accessed 27 Jun 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/3233

Australian Bass, Percalates novemaculeata (Steindachner 1866)

More Info

Distribution	Endemic to coastal drainages of south-eastern Australia from the Mary River (Queensland) south to Wilson's Promontory (Victoria). The species has been widely translocated in south-eastern Queensland. Inhabits lakes, impoundments, rivers, small streams in upland and coastal plain wetlands including brackish estuaries. Individuals often shelter beneath overhanging vegetation, fallen trees, and aquatic vegetation, in rocky or gravel bottomed pools.
Features	Dorsal fin VII-IX, I, 8-11; Anal fin III, 7-9; Pectoral fin 12-16; Lateral line scales 48-55. Body elongate to oval, compressed; dorsal profile evenly arched from above eye to tail; dorsal head profile slightly concave to straight; snout somewhat tapered, of moderate length; eye moderately large, lateral in position; mouth large, terminal, oblique; gape extending to below middle of eye in adults; lower jaw protruding; jaws, vomer and palatines with bands of villiform teeth; preoperculum serrated on upper arm; strong, forward-pointing spines on lower arm; operculum with two spines, lower larger, well-defined, fairly broad. Scales of moderate size, mostly ctenoid; cheeks and operculum scaled; snout naked; 25-30 in horizontal rows; lateral line complete, follows dorsal profile. Single dorsal fin, with anterior spinous and posterior soft-rayed portions separated by moderate notch, fourth spine longest; anal fin opposite soft part of dorsal fin, with 3 stout spines; pectoral fins somewhat pointed, upper rays longer than lower rays; pelvic fins inserted just behind base of pectoral fins; caudal fin moderately forked.
Size	To 60 cm SL and at least 3.8 kg.
Colour	Dark olive to greenish-grey on dorsal surface and sides, off-white or yellowish-white below. Fins generally greyish to colourless, translucent. Pectoral fins darker at base. Anal and pelvic fins with white tips; most lateral (anterior) rays of pelvic fins white. Fish less than about 120 mm long have dark spot between opercular spines; 4-6 faint vertical bands across back and sides just behind eyes. Small fish also have darker markings on dorsal, anal and ventral fins. When freshly caught, the eyes often appear red in colour, but this disappears shortly after removal from water.
Feeding	Adults feed small fishes, crustaceans and other invertebrates such as insects. Juveniles feed on zooplankton.
Biology	Australian Bass are catadromous, and adults migrate downstream to spawn in estuaries during flood events between May and August. Females deposit small planktonic eggs onto aquatic plants and sandbars. The eggs are spherical, transparent, and non-adhesive. The larvae hatch after 2-3 days at around 2.5 mm TL. This species hybridizes with Estuary Perch, Percalates colonorum, especially within the Snowy River and Gippsland regions in eastern Bass Strait, Victoria (Shaddick et al. 2011a)
Fisheries	Very popular with recreational anglers, and an important aquaculture species.
Remarks	Only females are usually found upstream, whereas males tend to remain in the lower reaches of estuaries.
Similar Species	Although similar to Percalates colonorum, Australian Bass have a slightly shallower body, have darker markings on the sides, and appear duller and less silvery. The species also has a straighter dorsal head profile and the anterior rays of the pelvic fins are white rather than grey.
Etymology	The specific name novemaculeata is from the Latin novem (= nine) and maculeata (= spot) in reference to the dark blotches on the fins of juveniles.
Species Citation	Dules novemaculeatus Steindachner, 1866, Anz. Kaiser. Akad. Wissensch. 3 (7): 50. Type locality: Port Jackson, New South Wales.
Author	Bray, D.J. & Thompson, V.J. 2025
Resources	Atlas of Living Australia Australian Faunal Directory Catalog of Fishes

Australian Bass, Percalates novemaculeata (Steindachner 1866)

References

Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. and Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth, Western Australia (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Brown, P. & Neira, F.J. 1998. Percichthyidae: basses, perches, cods. pp 259-265, in Neira, F.J., Miskiewicz, A.G. & Trnski, T. Larvae of temperate Australian fishes: laboratory guide for larval fish identification. Nedlands, Western Australia : University of Western Australia press 474 pp. (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Butler, G., Brooks, S. & Raadik, T. 2019. Percalates novemaculeata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T83130397A129086006. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T83130397A129086006.en. Accessed on 28 April 2025.

Cadwallader, P.L. & Backhouse, G.N. 1983. A Guide to the Freshwater Fish of Victoria. Melbourne: F.D. Atkinson Government Printer 249 pp. (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Castelnau, F.L. de 1872. Contribution to the ichthyology of Australia. 1. The Melbourne fish market. Proceedings of the Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria 1: 29-242 1 pl. (described as Lates similis, type locality lakes of Gippsland via the Melbourne market).

Chenoweth, S.F. & Hughes, J.M. 1997. Genetic population structure of the catadromous Perciform: Macquaria novemaculeata (Percichthyidae). Journal of Fish Biology 50: 721–733. (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Hammer, M.P., Adams, M. & Foster, R. 2012. Update to the catalogue of South Australian freshwater fishes (Petromyzontida & Actinopterygii). Zootaxa 3593: 59-74. (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Harding, D.J., Dwyer, R.G., Mullins, T.M., Kennard M.J., et al. 2017. Migration patterns and estuarine aggregations of a catadromous fish, Australian bass (Percalates novemaculeata) in a regulated river system. Marine and Freshwater Research 68: 1544-1553.

Harris, J.H. 1985. Diet of Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata (Perciformes: Percichthyidae) in the Sydney Basin. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 36: 219–234.

Harris, J.H. 1985. Age of Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata (Perciformes: Percichthyidae) in the Sydney Basin. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 36: 235–246.

Harris, J.H. 1986. Reproduction of the Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata (Perciformes: Percichthyidae) in the Sydney Basin. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 37: 209–235.

Harris, J.H. 1987. Growth of Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata (Perciformes: Percichthyidae) in the Sydney Basin. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 38: 351–361.

Harris, J.H. 1988. Demography of Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata (Perciformes: Percichthyidae), in the Sydney Basin. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 39: 355–369.

Harris, J.H. & Rowland, S.J. 1996. Family Percichthyidae: Australian freshwater cods and basses, pp 150-163 in McDowall, R.M. (ed.) Freshwater fishes of south-eastern Australia. Chatswood, New South Wales : Reed Books. (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Howell, T., Laurenson, L.J., Myers, J.H. and Jones, P.L. 2004. Spatial, temporal and size-class variation in the diet of estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum) in the Hopkins River, Victoria, Australia. Hydrobiologia 515(1-3): 29-37.

Jerry, D.R. 1998. Population genetic structure of the catadromous Australian bass from throughout its range. Journal of Fish Biology 51: 909–920. (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Jerry, D.R. & Baverstock, P.R. 1998. Consequences of a catadromous life-strategy for levels of mitochondrial DNA differentiation among populations of the Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata. Molecular Ecology 7: 1003–1013.

Jerry, D.R. & Cairns, S.C. 1998. Morphological variation in the catadromous Australian bass, from seven geographically distinct riverine drainages. Journal of Fish Biology 52: 829–843. (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Jerry, D.R., Elphinstone, M.S. & Baverstock, P.B. 2001. Phylogenetic relationships of Australian members of the family Percichthyidae inferred from mitochondrial 12s rRNA sequence data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 18: 335−347. (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Jerry, D.R., Raadik, T.A., Cairns, S.C. & Baverstock, P.R. 1999. Evidence for natural interspecific hybridization between the Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata) and estuary perch (M. colonorum). Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 50: 661–666.

Johnson, J.W. 1999. Annotated checklist of the fishes of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 43(2): 709-762. (as Macquaria novemaculeata) See ref at BHL

Kirwin, M.L. 2000. Age and growth of estuary perch, Macquaria colonorum (Perciformes: Percichthyidae) in the Bemm River, Eastern Victoria. Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute Internal Report No. 16.

Lavoué, S., Nakayama, K., Jerry, D.R., Yamanoue, Y., Yagishita, N., Suzuki, N., Nishida, M. & Miya, M. 2014. Mitogenomic phylogeny of the Percichthyidae and Centrarchiformes (Percomorphaceae): comparison with recent nuclear gene-based studies and simultaneous analysis. Gene 549(1): 46-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gene.2014.07.033 (not in the Family Percichthyidae)

Mallen-Cooper, M. 1992. Swimming ability of juvenile Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata (Steindachner), and juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), in an experimental vertical-slot fishway. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 43: 823–833.

McCarraher, D.B. & McKenzie, J.A. 1986. Observations on the distribution, growth, spawning and diet of estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum) in Victorian waters. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series 42.

McDonald, C.M. 1978. Morphological and biochemical systematics of Australian freshwater and estuarine percichthyid fishes. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 29(5): 667-698 figs 1-11 (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney: J.R. Merrick 409 pp. (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Near, T.J., Sandel, M., Kuhn, K.L., Unmack, P.J., Wainwright, P.C. & Smith, W.L. 2012. Nuclear gene-inferred phylogenies resolve the relationships of the enigmatic pygmy sunfishes, Elassoma (Teleostei: Percomorpha). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 63: 388–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2012.01.011

Reinfelds, I.V., Walsh, C.T., van der Meulen, D.E., Growns, I.O. & Gray, C.A. 2013. Magnitude, frequency and duration of instream flows to stimulate and facilitate catadromous fish migrations: Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata Perciformes, Percichthyidae). River Research and Applications 29(4): 512-527.

Schnierer, S.B. 1982. The Biology of the Australian Bass (M. novemaculeata) (F.Steindachner) in the Richmond River, Northern N.S.W. Master's Thesis, University of Queensland, Brisbane Qld.

Schwartz, T.S. & Beheregaray, L.B. 2008. Using genotype simulations and Bayesian analyses to identify individuals of hybrid origin in Australian bass: lessons for fisheries management. Journal of Fish Biology 72: 435–450. (as Macquaria novemaculeata)

Schwartz, T.S., Jenkins, F. & Beheregaray, L.B. 2005. Microsatellite DNA markers developed for the Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata) and their cross amplification in estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum). Molecular Ecology Notes 5: 519–520.

Shaddick, K., Burridge, C.B., Jerry, D.R., Schwartz, T.S., Truong, K., Gilligan, D.M. & Beheregaray, L.B. 2011. A hybrid zone and bidirectional introgression between two catadromous species: Australian bass Macquaria novemaculeata and estuary perch Macquaria colonorum. Journal of Fish Biology 79(5): 1214-1235. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2011.03105.x

Shaddick, K., Gilligan, D.M., Burridge, C.P., Jerry, D.R., Truong, K. & Beheregaray, L.B. 2011. Historic divergence with contemporary connectivity in a catadromous fish, the estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 68(2): 304-318. https://doi.org/10.1139/F10-139

Smith, J.A., Baumgartner, L.J., Suthers, I.M. & Taylor, M.D. 2011. Generalist niche, specialist strategy: the diet of an Australian percichthyid. Journal of Fish Biology 78(4): 1183-1199. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2011.0292

Smith, J.A., Baumgartner, L.J., Suthers, I.M. & Taylor, M.D. 2011. Distribution and movement of a stocked freshwater fish: implications of a variable habitat volume for stocking programs. Marine and Freshwater Research 62(11): 1342-1342. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/MF11120

Steindachner, F. 1866. Über die Fische von Port Jackson in Australien. Anzeiger der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Classe 3(7): 50-54. See ref at BHL

Steindachner, F. 1867. Ichthyologische Notizen (6) 2. Zur Fischfauna von Port Jackson. Sitzungsberichte der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Klasse 56(1): 320-335 fig. 1. (described as Dules reinhardti, type locality Port Jackson, New South Wales) See ref at BHL

Stoessel, D.J., Morrongiello, J.R., Raadik, T.A., Lyon, J. & Fairbrother, P. 2018. Is climate change driving recruitment failure in Australian bass Macquaria novemaculeata in southern latitudes of the species range? Marine and Freshwater Research 69: 24-36.

Trnski, T. 2002. Behaviour of settlement-stage larvae of fishes with an estuarine juvenile phase: in situ observations in a warm-temperate estuary. Marine Ecology Progress Series 242: 205−214.

Trnski, T., Hay, A.C. & Fielder, D.S. 2005. Larval development of estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum) and Australian bass (M. novemaculeata) (Perciformes: Percichthyidae), and comments on their life history. Fishery Bulletin 103: 183-194 http://fishbull.noaa.gov/1031/trns.pdf

Unmack, P.J. 2001. Biogeography of Australian freshwater fishes. Journal of Biogeography 28: 1053-1089.

Van der Walt, B., Faragher, R.A. & Harris, J. 2005. Comparative angler catches of Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata) in three major river systems in New South Wales, Australia. Asian Fisheries Science 18 (205): 175-193.

Walsh, C.T. 2012. Ecology and movement behaviour of two co-occurring estuary-dependent fishes, Macquaria colonorum and M. novemaculeata. Ph.D thesis, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3650/

Walsh, C.T., Reinfelds, I.V., Gray, C.A., West, R.J., et al. 2014. Seasonal residency and movement patterns of two co‐occurring catadromous percichthyids within a south‐eastern Australian river. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 21(1): 145-159.

Williams, J.R. 1970. A comparison of two species of the genus Percalates Ramsey and Ogilby (Percomorphi : Macquariidae), and their taxonomy. NSW State Fisheries Bulletin 11: 1–61.