Silver Perch
Scientific Name: Bidyanus bidyanus | Category: freshwater
Silver Perch present with a deeply forked tail and a solid, slab-sided body built for swift currents. Their namesake flanks flash a luminous, pearlescent silver, often with a greenish or bronze back that transitions cleanly to a pale underbelly. Most fish encountered range from 30 to 45 cm (12-18 inches) and weigh 1-3 kg (2-6 pounds), though veteran specimens can push over 60 cm. Unlike many other native Australian perch, their scales are notably small and fine, and their moderately large eyes hint at their preference for turbid water. A true icon of the Murray-Darling Basin, the Silver Perch thrives in warm, turbid waters of Australia's great inland river systems. While historically widespread from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria, their stronghold for consistent action is now often in the expansive impoundments and weir pools along these rivers—think Lake Burrendong, Lake Cargelligo, or the regulated flows below the Hume Dam. They are schooling fish that favour the deep, slow-moving sections of rivers or the open waters of lakes, often patrolling near structure like submerged timber or significant drop-offs. Anglers target Silver Perch not just for their historical and cultural significance as a premier Australian tablefish with delicate, white flesh, but for their tenacious, dogged fight on light tackle. They are powerful swimmers that use their broad tails to make deep, surging runs, testing drags and requiring careful pressure to steer from snags. While not the acrobats of the fish world, their sheer strength and tendency to school—where one hook-up can lead to a frenzied session—makes them a prized target for those seeking a quintessential, hard-fighting native species. Pursuing a trophy 'silver slab' over 5 kg is a revered goal for dedicated inland anglers.
species.getBySlug
{
"id": "3baf2084-1679-496a-b51d-b0bb50651005",
"commonName": "Silver Perch",
"scientificName": "Bidyanus bidyanus",
"slug": "silver-perch",
"category": "freshwater",
"aliases": [
"Murray Bream",
"Bidy",
"Silver Bream",
"Black Perch",
"Tandan",
"Freshwater Bream",
"Grunters (in some regional contexts)"
],
"description": "Silver Perch present with a deeply forked tail and a solid, slab-sided body built for swift currents. Their namesake flanks flash a luminous, pearlescent silver, often with a greenish or bronze back that transitions cleanly to a pale underbelly. Most fish encountered range from 30 to 45 cm (12-18 inches) and weigh 1-3 kg (2-6 pounds), though veteran specimens can push over 60 cm. Unlike many other native Australian perch, their scales are notably small and fine, and their moderately large eyes hint at their preference for turbid water.\n\nA true icon of the Murray-Darling Basin, the Silver Perch thrives in warm, turbid waters of Australia's great inland river systems. While historically widespread from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria, their stronghold for consistent action is now often in the expansive impoundments and weir pools along these rivers—think Lake Burrendong, Lake Cargelligo, or the regulated flows below the Hume Dam. They are schooling fish that favour the deep, slow-moving sections of rivers or the open waters of lakes, often patrolling near structure like submerged timber or significant drop-offs.\n\nAnglers target Silver Perch not just for their historical and cultural significance as a premier Australian tablefish with delicate, white flesh, but for their tenacious, dogged fight on light tackle. They are powerful swimmers that use their broad tails to make deep, surging runs, testing drags and requiring careful pressure to steer from snags. While not the acrobats of the fish world, their sheer strength and tendency to school—where one hook-up can lead to a frenzied session—makes them a prized target for those seeking a quintessential, hard-fighting native species. Pursuing a trophy 'silver slab' over 5 kg is a revered goal for dedicated inland anglers.",
"imageUrl": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/species/silver-perch/main.webp",
"hero": {
"blurhash": "UhQ9[#RjxuxuM{Rjt7of_Nogoft7^,t7WBof",
"altText": "Silver Perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) watercolor",
"caption": "Silver Perch present with a deeply forked tail and a solid, slab-sided body built for swift currents.",
"width": 2400,
"height": 1340
},
"phases": [
{
"id": "1a86bf19-f918-4633-b716-ceb8f3f4b6c6",
"name": "Adult",
"slug": "adult",
"description": "The Silver Perch is a powerful, schooling fish in its prime. During this long phase, its life revolves around foraging in deeper water for crustaceans and aquatic insects, and its resilience is a cornerstone of healthy inland river ecosystems. Anglers prize them for their stubborn fight and significance as a premier native tablefish.",
"appearance": "A solid, slab-sided body built for power in currents. The back is a greenish-bronze or olive-grey, cleanly transitioning to the namesake luminous, pearlescent silver flanks that flash brightly. The belly is pale white to cream. It possesses a deeply forked tail fin, moderately large eyes, and notably small, fine scales. Most adults range from 30-45 cm (12-18 inches), with trophy specimens exceeding 60 cm. Fins are generally dusky or grey.",
"triggers": null,
"habitat": "Warm, often turbid waters of the Murray-Darling Basin. Found in deep, slow-moving sections of major rivers, expansive impoundments, and weir pools. Schools patrol open water and near submerged structure like timber or drop-offs.",
"anglersNote": "This is the primary phase targeted by anglers, known for a deep, dogged fight on light tackle. They are a prized catch for both sport and the table.",
"displayOrder": 0,
"imageUrl": null,
"media": null
}
],
"contentUpdatedAt": "2026-05-09T22:32:14.142Z"
}species.getDestinations (0)
[]
faqs.getByEntity (0)
[]
seo.getBySlug
{
"title": null,
"description": "Silver Perch, also known as Murray Bream, are a prized freshwater sportfish in Australia's Murray-Darling Basin. Learn about their habitat and fight.",
"h1Override": null,
"canonicalUrl": null,
"robots": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": "Targeting Silver Perch? This native Australian freshwater fish, also called Murray Bream, offers a strong fight on light tackle. Find out where to catch them.",
"ogImage": null,
"ogType": null,
"twitterCard": null,
"focusKeyword": "silver perch fishing",
"secondaryKeywords": [
"silver perch",
"bidyanus bidyanus",
"freshwater",
"murray bream",
"bidy",
"silver bream",
"black perch",
"tandan",
"freshwater bream",
"grunters (in some regional contexts)"
],
"sitemapPriority": null,
"sitemapChangefreq": null,
"customMeta": null,
"redirectUrl": null,
"breadcrumbLabel": null
}