© Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia Full citation Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia: Volume 1 - Bony and Cartilaginous Fishes. Report for the South Australian Working Group for Marine Species of Conservation Concern. J. Baker (consultant); Science and Conservation Division, and Coast and Marine Conservation branches of S.A. Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH); Marine and Coastal Community Network of S.A. (MCCN), and Threatened Species Network (TSN). Web version published by Reef Watch, South Australia.

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PERCICHTHYIDAE: TEMPERATE “PERCHES”

© Bernard Yau

The Percichthyidae contains fish that are diverse in appearance, although in general members of the family have a perch-like configuration (Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994). Globally, there are about 11 genera and 36 named species (Froese and Pauly, 2008), currently lower than a previous tally of 13 genera and 42 named species (Froese and Pauly, 2006). The genera Apogonops and Polyprion were previously included in the family (e.g. Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994), but have now been separated. Some authors also separate the Pygmy Perches (e.g. Nannoperca) into another family; however these are included here as members of the Percichthyidae, according to CSIRO (2007) listings.
The Percichthyidae family includes a number of listed threatened (and unlisted near-threatened) species in southern Australia, such as the following, amongst others:
The Murray River Cod Maccullochella peelii peelii and the Trout Cod Maccullochella macquariensis, both listed as threatened species under various pieces of Commonwealth and State legislation. The Trout Cod is a fully protected species in South Australia, under the Fisheries Act 1982; however the Murray River Cod is fished, except for a closed season between September and December (PIRSA website, 2003). The National Parks and Wildlife Council and Department for Environment and Heritage (2003) has recommended that Murray Cod M. peelii be listed as Rare, under a schedule of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Criteria for listing were RA ab. In 2007, the Action Plan for South Australian Freshwater Fishes (Hammer et al., 2007) recommended a listing of VU for this species in South Australia. The National Parks and Wildlife Council and Department for Environment and Heritage (2003) has also recommended that both Trout Cod M. macquariensis and Macquarie Perch Macquaria australasica be listed as Extinct under a schedule of the National Parks and Wildlife Act (i.e. presumed to be extinct in South Australia) (see National Parks and Wildlife Council and Department for Environment and Heritage, 2003). In New South Wales, the Trout Cod has been identified as one of the most threatened species inhabiting  the coastal streams of that State, and the inland waters of the Murray-Darling Basin (Pollard and Morris, 2002). In 2003, the Murray River Cod was listed under the Commonwealth’s EPBC Act 1999, as Vulnerable. Three species of Maccullochella in Australia were listed as endangered species, in the IUCN Red List (2007).
Variegated (= Ewen’s) Pygmy Perch Nannoperca variegata, and the Yarra Pygmy Perch Nannoperca obscura, which are classified as Vulnerable species under both the IUCN Red List (2007 version; both species listed in 1996), and the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Both of these species are also protected in South Australia under the Fisheries Act. The National Parks and Wildlife Council and Department for Environment and Heritage (2003) recommended that both species be listed as Endangered, under a schedule of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Criteria for listing were B2ab(ii,iii,v) for Yarra Pygmy Perch N. obscura, and B2ab(iii,v) for Ewen’s Pygmy Perch N. variegata (see National Parks and Wildlife Council and Department for Environment and Heritage, 2003). In 2007, the Action Plan for South Australian Freshwater Fishes (Hammer et al., 2007) recommended a listing of EN for both of these species in South Australia.
The south-eastern sub-species of Southern Pygmy Perch, Nannoperca australis, which is protected in S.A. under the Fisheries Act. Southern Pygmy Perch have experienced decline in the Murray-Darling Basin and Lower River Murray (Hammer et al., 2001). Historically, the sub-species was found all over the Lower Murray, Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges and Lake Alexandrina. It is now only found in five of the thirteen streams of the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges, such as the Finniss River, and on the fringes of Lake Alexandrina (Hammer, 2002b). In S.A., National Parks and Wildlife Council and Department for Environment and Heritage (2003) recommended that, under schedules of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, (i) the Murray-Darling Basin population of the species be listed as Endangered (criteria B1ab(i,ii,iv)), and that the South East population be listed as Rare (criteria RA a). In 2007, the Action Plan for South Australian Freshwater Fishes (Hammer et al., 2007) recommended a listing of EN for this species in South Australia. It is noted that in N.S.W., Southern Pygmy Perch has been identified as one of the most threatened species inhabiting coastal streams in that State, and in the inland waters of the Murray-Darling Basin (Pollard and Morris, 2002).

One species from the family is discussed below, because it is a species of conservation concern in South Australia, and to date, has limited formal protection.

Associated taxa

Estuary Perch

Macquaria colonorum (Günther, 1863)