1 Fes., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 1538 
Piscieulture. 
THE GIANT PERCH. 
Mr. McInwrarrn, editor of the Rockhampton Bulletin, sends us the 
following :—In the Queensland Journal of Agriculture for January, Mr. D. 
0’ Connor writes about the giant perch, or, as we are accustomed to call it here 
in Central Queensland, the barramundi. The name by which the fish is 
known in Mackay is the palmer, and Mr. O’Connor proposes it should be 
generally adopted. From this we dissent. Mr. O’Connor gives no reason for 
the change, which requires explanation. Besides, giant perch is appropriate 
and perfectly intelligible. “ Barramundi,” the blackfellows’ term, is also 
suitable and acceptable as a common name. Mr. O’Connor also suggests an 
endeavour should be made to introduce the fish into the Brisbane River. To 
that there can be no objection, but in the meantime it may be well to 
consider—Why is the barramundi not there already? Here, it may be noted, 
there are two fish known as barramundi in Central Queensland waters. What 
is regarded as the true barramundi is to be found only-in the Dawson River, 
and is recognisable by a brown spot on each of its large scales. ‘The more 
common barramundi or giant perch is found in the sea, in the Fitzroy and its 
tributaries, and in lagoons filled by their waters in flood times. Fish weighing 
50 lb. are taken in the traps at Emu Park, and with lines off Port Alma wharf. 
They are also caught far above the level of the highest tides in the Fitzroy 
and its tributaries, and in freshwater lagoons. Our opinion is that this giant 
perch is the analogue, and corresponds to the salmon in northern seas and 
rivers. Physiologically the salmon and perch are closely related. Shortly 
before this rainy season set in, the fishermen at Emu Park were rejoiced by the 
appearance of barramundi in their traps. That these are mature breeding 
fish may be assumed from their size, but they do not contain milt or roe, as 
the salmon does; at least, observers have failed to notice spawn. ‘These fish, 
it is surmised, go up the river when in flood, find their way into creeks and 
lagoons, spawn there and return to the sea. Many of them are landlocked in 
lagoons by the rapid subsidence of flood waters, and are afterwards caught 
with rod and line. They have been taken between 301b. and 40 1b. weight in 
the lagoons near Rockhampton. At present the Fitzroy is rising, and the 
creeks and lagoons are full of water. A couple of months hence the outlets of 
the latter will swarm with what must be regarded as barramundi smolts making 
their way to the sea. A few years ago the writer caught with the rod four dozen 
in one day, using shrimps as bait; they ranged from 31b. to 13 1b. in weight. 
These little barramundi have been observed in the Fitzroy many miles above 
Yaamba, but only after floods. There is a lack of precise and exact informa- 
tion regarding the habits of the fish, which it is desirable should be remedied, 
‘As the barramundi is a sea fish at certain seasons, and, like the crocodile, has 
not gone out of the tropics, it is to be feared attempts to introduce it into the 
Brisbane River would be attended with failure. 
