Endangered population - western olive perchlet
Important information
Scientific name - Ambassis agassizii
Distribution - Olive perchlets are a small native fish that occur in both eastern (coastal) and western (Murray-Darling) drainages, but these populations may be genetically distinct. The western population of the olive perchlet was once widespread throughout the Murray-Darling system of South Australia, Victoria, western New South Wales and southern Queensland. This population has suffered a serious decline and is now found only at a few sites in the Darling River drainage.
Size - Olive perchlets can grow to about 70-80 mm but are more commonly less than 60 mm.
Characteristics - Olive perchlets have an oval shaped body with a moderately large mouth, very large eyes and a forked tail. They are usually semi-transparent, with dark-edged scales forming a distinct pattern. The fins are generally clear, although there is often a broad, blackish band along the edges of the pelvic and anal fins.