Little Pygmy Perch
Nannoperca pygmaea
© 2024 MarineWise
Quick Facts
Scientific name
Nannoperca pygmaea
Family
Temperate Bass / Percichthyidae
Size
Up to 4 cm (1.57 in)
Weight
A few grams
Distribution
Habitat & AU Distribution
Acidic, tannin stained freshwater streams
Depth Range
0 - 4 m (13 ft)
Interesting Info
- The little Pygmy Perch is found in only four catchments in the south-west coastal region of Western Australia: Hay River, Mitchell River, Denmark River, and Kent River systems.
- They look similar to the Western Pygmy Perch, but differ in that they have narrow stripes on the lower sides.
- Little Pygmy Perch is a serial batch-spawner, with females releasing multiple batches of eggs, generally amongst inundated vegetation.
- The species spawns in the middle of the year with a peak in July-August. It is potamodromous, and individuals migrate upstream into tributaries during early winter when stream flows increase.
- They are carnivores, feeding on the aquatic larvae of terrestrial insects, and tiny crustaceans, such as copepods and ostracods.
- Little Pygmy Perch are a threatened species and are protected under Australian law. They are listed as endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
- The species has a relatively short lifespan, living for only 2-3 years.
Species Interaction
Minimal Species Contact
Engagement with Little 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: Nannoperca
Species: Nannoperca pygmaea
Conservation Status
The Little Pygmy Perch are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. They are also protected under Australian law. The species is listed as endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
