Australian Bass and Similar Species
Macquaria novemaculeata
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Open the appSeveral fish can be confused with Australian Bass. Here are the key differences.
Species often confused with {name}
Estuary Perch
Macquaria colonorum
Key differences: Estuary Perch generally have a more slender body, a slightly smaller eye relative to head size, and typically a more pronounced 'hump' behind the head. The spiny dorsal fin of the Estuary Perch is usually lower and less robust than that of the Australian Bass. Estuary Perch are also more tolerant of saline conditions and spend more of their life cycle in estuaries and coastal lakes.
Golden Perch
Macquaria ambigua
Key differences: Golden Perch have a more rounded, less compressed body shape, a distinctively concave head profile, and a golden-yellow to olive-green coloration. Their dorsal fins are also broadly joined, but the overall body form is quite different. Golden Perch are primarily found in the Murray-Darling river system, west of the Great Dividing Range, while Australian Bass are coastal.
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