Oxleyan Pygmy Perch

Interesting Info

• The Oxleyan Pygmy Perch is a freshwater fish species that is endemic to Australia. They are found across eastern Australia, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin – their range covers parts of New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria.
• They have a distinctive appearance, with a slender body, large eyes, and a small mouth. They are olive-brown to dark-brown back, lighter sides, and a white to cream-colored belly. The species also has small, faint spots on its sides and back, and a slightly darker stripe along the lateral line.
• The species is a carnivore, feeding on small aquatic invertebrates such as insects and crustaceans.
• The breeding season for the Oxleyan Pygmy Perch is from September to February. During the breeding season, males become territorial and will defend their spawning sites from other males.
• The female Oxleyan Pygmy Perch lays eggs in small clumps attached to submerged vegetation. The eggs hatch after about 10 days, and the larvae feed on zooplankton for the first few weeks of their life.
• The species is listed as endangered under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
• The Oxleyan Pygmy Perch has a relatively short lifespan, with individuals usually living for only 1-2 years.