THE PERCH FAMILY. 



99 



It will be of great interest to see what has been the 

 result of this planting. 



Macquarie's Perch": This is another of the fishes of 

 Western New South Wales, though it also occurs in the 

 upper waters of the Nepean River, and probably George's 

 River and Cook's River. It is a valuable fish from an 

 economic standpoint, though not nearly so important as the 

 preceding. It is often known to western folk as "Black 

 Bream," as is likewise, occasionally, the Silver Perch ; but 

 neither of them is in any way related to the Black Bream ; 

 in fact and this is a point that is worth remembering no 

 true Bream inhabits any of our frcsli-water rhcrs, though 

 the term is often heard used in connection with one or other 

 of our fresh-water fishes. 



In the upper waters of the Nepean, this species, there 

 very dark in colour, is often known as "Blackfish," which 

 is another misnomer. 



Macquarie's Perch attains a length of from 12 to 15 

 inches. 



The Murray Cod : As a food-fish this magnificent 

 species stands second to none. Attaining to such large pro- 

 portions and being of such good flavour, this excellent fish 

 long ago came prominently forward ; and it may be safely- 

 said, that the supply is never likely to exceed or even meet 



Fig. 38. MURRAY COD (OH go r it* macquariensis) . 



the demand. It inhabits the whole of the immense Murray 

 River system, from the limits of tidal influence in South 

 Australia right up into Queensland. In addition it is found 

 in the head-waters of the Clarence and Richmond Rivers 



* This fish is often known as the " Mountain Perch." 



