Australian bass
Percalates novemaculeata
Also known asEastern Australian bass
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 400 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 42% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 1.10% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.60% of body weight
- Max density
- 35 g per litre
A 700 g adult eats about 7.7 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~77 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | legal | Native species verified 2026-05-13 |
| Queensland | legal | verified 2026-05-13 |
| Victoria | permit required | verified 2026-05-13 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
Native to coastal river systems along eastern Australia, from the Bundaberg region in Queensland south through New South Wales to eastern Victoria. The species (Percalates novemaculeatus, formerly Macquaria novemaculeata) is a highly regarded recreational sport fish in eastern Australia, prized for its fighting qualities on light tackle and its clean, white, firm flesh. Wild populations are catadromous: adults live in freshwater rivers and impoundments but migrate downstream to estuarine brackish water to spawn during winter (June-August) flood events. In aquaculture, the species can be grown entirely in freshwater throughout its life cycle. Adults reach 2–3 kg in the wild, though culture harvest size is typically 300–500 g at 18-24 months. The species is slow-growing compared to barramundi and silver perch, which limits its commercial aquaculture appeal, but it fills a niche for native-species aquaponics in southeastern Australia.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- temperate (handles seasonal swings)
- USDA zones
- 7–11 (winter low around -18°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- no
- Cooling needed
- no
Care notes
A cool-water to warm-water aquaponics species suited to temperate and subtropical Australian conditions. Optimal growth temperature is 20–26°C, with a tolerated range of about 10–30°C. Growth is moderate to slow: 300–500 g in 18-24 months on commercial pellet (40-45% protein). FCR is approximately 1.5-2.0. The species is native to Australia and legal to culture in most eastern Australian states without the regulatory complexity of non-native species like tilapia or barramundi (in southern states). Fingerlings are available from several Australian hatcheries, though supply can be seasonal. The main limitation compared to other Australian aquaponics species is growth rate: barramundi and silver perch both grow faster, though barramundi requires warmer water (26–30°C) that's expensive to maintain in southeastern Australia. Stocking density should be moderate at 10-20 g/L. Australian bass are predatory and will eat smaller fish, so size-grading is essential. Water quality requirements: DO above 5 mg/L, ammonia below 1 mg/L, pH 6.5-8.0. Disease resistance is good in well-maintained systems. The flesh quality is excellent, making Australian bass a solid personal-consumption choice for southeastern Australian aquaponics.