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Eastern orange perch (Lepidoperca pulchella) — Serranidae

Eastern orange perch

Lepidoperca pulchella
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Eastern orange perch (Lepidoperca pulchella) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
50.0–400.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Temperate waters around south-eastern Australia; continental shelf near rocky reefs.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The eastern orange perch is a small bass of the family Serranidae from the temperate waters around south-eastern Australia. The species grows to about 28 cm and has a stocky, orange to pink body. It lives on the continental shelf near rocky reefs, usually at some depth. As a predator it feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and other bottom animals. Like many sea basses it is probably a protogynous hermaphrodite, starting as a female. The species is sometimes landed as bycatch. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eastern orange perch?

The Eastern orange perch has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Orange to pink bass of temperate Australian reefs; probably a protogynous hermaphrodite.

Where does the Eastern orange perch live?

The Eastern orange perch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Temperate waters around south-eastern Australia; continental shelf near rocky reefs.

How big does the Eastern orange perch get?

The Eastern orange perch grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Eastern orange perch dangerous to humans?

No, the Eastern orange perch is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Eastern orange perch edible?

The Eastern orange perch is rarely eaten.

More photos

Eastern orange perch (Lepidoperca pulchella) — Serranidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Eastern orange perch (Lepidoperca pulchella) — Serranidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Eastern orange perch (Lepidoperca pulchella) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Eastern orange perch (Lepidoperca pulchella) — Serranidae — 5
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
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All data

Identification

English name
Eastern orange perch verified
Scientific name
Lepidoperca pulchella
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Lovely perch; Orange perch; Reefies; Reef perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
400.0 verified
Natural range
Temperate waters around south-eastern Australia; continental shelf near rocky reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and bottom-dwelling animals sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Orange to pink bass of temperate Australian reefs; probably a protogynous hermaphrodite. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lepidoperca

More from the family Serranidae

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