Is this a Silver Perch?

[Member]

Still suspecting a grunter of some sorts myself even tho i have never seen one in person, the colour doesnt seem a stained just natural ... still got me guessing ....

[Member]

It is Scortum hillii a Leathery Grunter. Spine and soft ray counts are inconclusive, the ID keys visible are the the two distinct preopercles the shape of the pectoral fin, second dorsal fin, eye position and colour.
The colour of the fish gives it another regional common name Greenhide Jack.
Can Grunter crossbreed ? yes they can, one of the reasons for the regulation prohibiting translocation of fish outside their natural range.
With Terapontids (grunters ) this can occur among members of the same Genus ie. Silver Perch Bidyanus bidyanus X Welchs Grunter Bidyanus welchi.
Barcoo Grunter Scortum barcoo X Leathery Grunter Scortum hillii.

cheers
Steve.

[Member]

It is Scortum hillii a Leathery Grunter. Spine and soft ray counts are inconclusive, the ID keys visible are the the two distinct preopercles the shape of the pectoral fin, second dorsal fin, eye position and colour.
The colour of the fish gives it another regional common name Greenhide Jack.
Can Grunter crossbreed ? yes they can, one of the reasons for the regulation prohibiting translocation of fish outside their natural range.
With Terrapontids (grunters ) this can occur among members of the same Genus ie. Silver Perch Bidyanus bidyanus X Welchs Grunter Bidyanus welchi.
Barcoo Gruner Scortum barcoo X Leathery Grunter Scortum hillii.

cheers
Steve.

Elops to the rescue.  Thanks fella, was waiting for someone with some pedigree on these things to jump in & help answer the question. 

Cheers,

fitz..

[Member]

Had to use the references Fitz and had some expert help 

[Member]

Thanks for all the help in identifying this fish. 

Regards
Adrian

[Member]

A Scrotum Hilli, I guess that's where the "leathery" part comes from.  Now we know.

[Member]

What system was it caught in? Doesn't look like a silver to me, as stated eye colour and position is wrong and mouth seems to be terminal where silvers tend to be a bit more ventral - also appears to have lateral stripe below eye typical of Scortum spp - I'd call it for S. parviceps (small headed grunter) if near Burdekin basin or S. hilli  (Leathery Grunter) if near Fitzroy - regards Jim

[Member]

Opps! only looked at first page Elops already had it sorted!

[Member]

At least we know your right Jim

Randall.

[Member]

A Scrotum Hilli, I guess that's where the "leathery" part comes from.  Now we know.

You idiot....    

[Member]

What system was it caught in? Doesn't look like a silver to me, as stated eye colour and position is wrong and mouth seems to be terminal where silvers tend to be a bit more ventral - also appears to have lateral stripe below eye typical of Scortum spp - I'd call it for S. parviceps (small headed grunter) if near Burdekin basin or S. hilli  (Leathery Grunter) if near Fitzroy - regards Jim

Thanks Jim,

It came out of the Fitzroy Basin.

Cheers
Adrian

[Member]

here is a big silver for comparison

[Member]

my money is on silver perch the gill plates are same all fin config are same scales are same tail and eyes are same ,,,nice fish

[Member]

my money is on silver perch the gill plates are same all fin config are same scales are same tail and eyes are same ,,,nice fish

My money would be on S. hillii
Terapontid ID can be very difficult.
The pic is a good example, can anybody ID these two ?

cheers
Steve
 

[Member]

Heres a photo of a big silver caught in Windamere recently by angler, Chris Bird.
Kind Regdrs Matt Hansen