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Barcoo grunter (Scortum barcoo) — Terapontidae

Barcoo grunter

Scortum barcoo
Family: Terapontidae
NativeIntroduced

The Barcoo grunter (Scortum barcoo) is a freshwater fish of the family Terapontidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Barcoo grunter is a grunter (Terapontidae) from fresh water of inland river systems in eastern Australia. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a deep, stocky, silver-grey body with a small head. Like other grunters it can make a grunting sound with its swim bladder. As an omnivore it eats algae, water plants, molluscs and insects in turbid rivers and pools. It is farmed under the name jade perch. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barcoo grunter?

The Barcoo grunter has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Barcoo grunter live?

The Barcoo grunter lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Barcoo grunter get?

The Barcoo grunter grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Barcoo grunter dangerous to humans?

No, the Barcoo grunter is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Barcoo grunter (Scortum barcoo) — Terapontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Richard Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barcoo grunter (Scortum barcoo) — Terapontidae — 3
mscaus (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Barcoo grunter (Scortum barcoo) — Terapontidae — 4
Charmaine Thomas (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — Atlas of Living Australia
Barcoo grunter (Scortum barcoo) — Terapontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Morgan Grant, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Barcoo grunter sourced
Scientific name
Scortum barcoo
Family
Terapontidae
Other names
Barcoo grunter; Black bream; Jade perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Omnivorous: small invertebrates, algae, detritus and plant material inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Scortum

More from the family Terapontidae

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