Home · Terapontidae · Bobby
Bobby (Leiopotherapon unicolor) — Terapontidae

Bobby

Leiopotherapon unicolor
Family: Terapontidae

The Bobby (Leiopotherapon unicolor) is a brackish-water fish of the family Terapontidae that grows up to 31 cm.

Length
31 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The spangled perch is a robust freshwater fish from Australia, one of the most widely distributed native fishes of the continent. The species grows to about 31 cm and has a stocky, silvery body with fine dark speckles and a spiny dorsal fin. As a hardy omnivore it lives in very varied waters, from rivers to temporary pools, and eats insects, small fish, crustaceans and plant material. It tolerates high temperatures and turbid water. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bobby?

The Bobby has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bobby live?

The Bobby lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bobby get?

The Bobby grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Bobby dangerous to humans?

No, the Bobby is harmless to humans.

Is the Bobby edible?

Yes, the Bobby is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Effen grunter verified
English name
Bobby verified
Scientific name
Leiopotherapon unicolor
Family
Terapontidae
Other names
Bobby cod; Bobby perch; Jewel perch; Nicky; Spangled grunter verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Hengelsport sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Leiopotherapon

More from the family Terapontidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →