Home · Percichthyidae · Callop
Callop (Macquaria ambigua) — Percichthyidae

Callop

Macquaria ambigua
LC · Least Concern

The Callop (Macquaria ambigua) is a freshwater fish of the family Percichthyidae that grows up to 76 cm.

Length
76 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
10.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The golden perch is a freshwater perch (Percichthyidae) from the Murray-Darling basin in Australia. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a deep, golden-yellow to bronze body with a concave head profile. It lives throughout the river system, from clear, fast-flowing upper reaches to turbid, slow-flowing lower reaches, and also in impoundments. As a predator it hunts crustaceans, molluscs, insects and small fishes. It makes large spawning migrations upstream at high water. It is a valued sport and food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Callop?

The Callop has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Callop live?

The Callop lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Callop get?

The Callop grows to a maximum of about 76 cm. On average the species is around 45 cm.

Is the Callop dangerous to humans?

No, the Callop is harmless to humans.

Is the Callop edible?

Yes, the Callop 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
Goudbaars sourced
English name
Callop verified
Scientific name
Macquaria ambigua
Family
Percichthyidae
Other names
Freshwater bream; Golden perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
76.0 verified
Average length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
20.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Wordt met hengel, kunst- en natuuraas in rivieren en stuwmeren bevist. 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 Macquaria

More from the family Percichthyidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

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

Get the beta →