The Australian bass is a small- to medium-sized species of primarily freshwater fish found in coastal rivers and streams along the east coast of Australia. A member of the genus Macquaria from the family Percichthyidae, the Australian bass is an important member of the native fish assemblages found in east coast river systems. It is a native predatory fish and an extremely popular game fish species among anglers. The species was simply called perch in most coastal rivers where it was caught until the 1960s, when the name "Australian bass" started to gain popularity.
Australian bass
An Australian bass (summer, freshwater reaches) before release.
A large wild female Australian bass (early autumn, freshwater reaches) before release. This specimen was making her way down to the estuary for winter spawning.
Australian bass easily traverse rapids like these in their coastal river habitats. However, they require floods or freshes to drown out more significant rapids and cascades and make them passable.
The members of the family Percichthyidae are known as the temperate perches. They belong to the order Perciformes, the perch-like fishes.
Temperate perch
Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii
