Jade Perch (4.5-5”)

Species Overview

• Scientific Name: Scortum barcoo

• Common Names: Jade Perch, Barcoo Grunter

• Family: Terapontidae

• Origin: Barcoo and Cooper Creek river systems in Australia.

• Temperament: Peaceful, schooling behavior when young

• Lifespan: 7–10 years 

 Habitat

• Natural Environment:
  Native to slow-moving rivers and floodplains in arid central and eastern Australia. These rivers often experience large fluctuations in water flow and temperature.

• Water Conditions:

  • Temperature: 72–86°F (22–30°C)

  • pH: 6.5–8.0

  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (5–15 dGH)

  • Tolerant of varied conditions, making them excellent for aquaponics systems.

 Diet

• Omnivorous:
  Naturally feeds on:

  • Algae

  • Plant matter

  • Insects

  • Small crustaceans

• In Captivity:
  Feed a mix of:

  • High-protein pellets (aquaculture or omnivorous fish formulas)

  • Vegetables (e.g., blanched spinach, lettuce)

  • Live or frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, etc.)

  • Algae-based foods

 Maximum Size

• In the Wild: Up to 50 cm (20 inches)

• In Captivity: Typically 30–40 cm (12–16 inches)

• Weight: Can exceed 2 kg (4.4 lbs) in aquaculture systems

 Recommended Aquarium Size

• Minimum Tank Size:

  • 75 gallons (284 liters) for juveniles

  • 150–200 gallons (570–750 liters) for adults or small groups

  • Preferably housed in ponds or large aquaponics tanks if full-grown

• Tank Setup:

  • Clean, well-oxygenated water

  • Strong filtration (high waste producers)

  • Subdued lighting (they may be shy)

  • Open swimming space

  • Can include driftwood or submerged branches, but keep decor minimal to avoid injury when startled

• Tank Mates:
  Generally peaceful and can be kept with similarly sized non-aggressive species, though they're best in species-only or aquaponics setups due to their size and activity level.

Notes on Behavior

• Jade Perch are schooling fish when young but may become more solitary with age.
  

• Their rapid growth and size make them unsuitable for small tanks long term, and they should be kept with fish in of similar size and behaviors.