Threatened Fishes of the World: Macquaria australasica Cuvier, 1830 (Percichthyidae)

The Macquarie perch, formerly widespread throughout the southerly tributaries of Australia's Murray-Darling River system and the Hawkesbury and Shoalhaven River systems in eastern Australia, now is endangered. The current distribution is fragmented with only a few small, discrete populations remaining. The morphological, distribution, habitat, ecology, and reproductive characteristics of this fish are summarized. Degraded riverine environments, particularly for hydroelectric, flood mitigation, and irrigation schemes, as well as pollution and sedimentation, are blamed for much of the decline. Some states have bans on the capture of Macquarie perch. Captive breeding programs had attempted to re-establish this fish in parts of its former range but have not been very successful. Recommendations for further conservation action are given.