Balston’s Pygmy Perch
Nannatherina balstoni
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Quick Facts
Scientific name
Nannatherina balstoni
Other names
Balston's Perchlet, King River Perchlet
Size
Up to 9 cm (3.54 in)
Weight
A few grams
Distribution
Habitat & AU Distribution
Freshwater streams & wetlands amongst aquatic vegetation particularly sedge thickets
Depth Range
0 - 4 m (13 ft)
Interesting Info
- The Balston’s Pygmy Perch is a small freshwater fish native to the south western parts of Australia, in wetlands.
- They have a mainly dark brown body with pale blotching and a whitish underside. Some specimens may have a darker mid-lateral stripe bordered by broad yellow-white blotches or stripes.
- They prefer slow-moving or still waters with vegetation and organic debris, where they can feed on small aquatic invertebrates such as crustaceans and insect larvae.
- Balston’s Pygmy perch has a one-year life cycle and spawns during flooding from June to early September, with a peak in mid-winter when water levels are highest. Females lay several batches of eggs each day among aquatic vegetation, with up to 1600 eggs per batch. Larvae hatch after 2-4 days.
- The Balston’s Pygmy Perch is considered to be a threatened species in Australia, and is listed as vulnerable under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
- The species has a relatively short lifespan, living for only 1-2 years.
Species Interaction
Minimal Species Contact
Engagement with Balston’s Pygmy Perch are largely focused on conservation and protection of the species due to their threatened status.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Percichthyidae
Genus: Nannatherina
Species: Nannatherina balstoni
Conservation Status
The Balston’s Pygmy Perch is classified as a threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is listed as endangered under Australia’s national environmental law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
