Scientific Name
Nannoperca obscura

Common Name
Yarra pygmy perch

Biology
Inhabits streams and small lakes; prefers flowing water with abundant cover in the form of aquatic vegetation. Occurs in creeks and lakes, usually among aquatic weeds. Feeds on insects, insect larvae and planktonic crustaceans. Swims in small shoals, sometimes with N. australis. Breeding season is in spring. Slight morphological differences exist between populations from the extreme western and eastern parts of the range that could warrant their placement into separate subspecies.

Classification

Classified By

Klunzinger, 1872

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Temperate perches (Percichthyidae)

Distribution

Region

Oceania

Distribution

Oceania: coastal drainages of southwestern Victoria from Frankston to the south Australian border. Has recently sampled in Bool Lagoon drainage system, eastern South Australia and western Victoria.

Range

37°S - 38°S

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

10 °C

Water Temperature To

30 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic

Trophic Level

3.16 s.e. 0.36 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

7.5 cm

Common Length

5.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (12 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming Fec

Threat To Humans

Harmless (Ref. 2906)

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU)(B1+2bc)