{"product_id":"australian-bass-percalates-novemaculeata","title":"Australian Bass | Percalates novemaculeata","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA prized native sportfish with real attitude, the Australian Bass is a muscular, ambush predator that hits its food hard and grows into an impressive tank fish. Commonly reaching 25–30 cm in aquaria (and larger in big systems), it is best suited to a spacious, well-filtered tank with current and structure, and rewards the keeper with bold, active behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercalates novemaculeata is native to the coastal rivers and estuaries of eastern Australia, from Queensland to Victoria, where it migrates between fresh upland pools and brackish estuaries to breed. It favours rocky and snag-filled pools with cover and flow. A large tank with driftwood, rockwork, robust filtration and gentle current recreates its home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA deep, muscular, perch-shaped native in shades of bronze, olive and silver, darkening over the back and paling below, with strong spiny fins. Wild-caught and pond-raised fish vary in colour with mood and environment. It is built for ambush, all power and streamlined muscle rather than ornament.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA predatory, territorial fish that will eat anything small enough to swallow and can be pushy with tankmates. It is best kept singly or with robust, similarly sized natives in a large tank. Avoid housing it with small fish, which it treats as food, and provide space and structure to reduce squabbling among larger companions.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore with a strong appetite. In the wild it takes insects, shrimp, crustaceans and small fish; in the aquarium it thrives on quality carnivore pellets, frozen and live foods such as prawn, fish pieces and larger insects. Feed a varied, protein-rich diet and avoid relying on live feeder fish, which carry disease risk.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 300 L, with larger far better for an adult, and a secure lid. Keep temperature at 18–24 °C (it is a temperate native and tolerates cool water), pH 6.5–8.0 and moderately hard water, around GH 8–20. Strong filtration, good flow and plenty of structure keep it healthy and settled. Plant safe, as it does not eat plants.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeding is not practical in the home aquarium. In the wild, Australian Bass make a catadromous spawning migration to brackish estuaries in winter, where spawning is triggered by particular salinity and temperature cues. These conditions are effectively impossible to replicate in a tank, and the species is bred commercially in specialist hatcheries.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePercalates novemaculeata (formerly Macquaria novemaculeata)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAustralian Bass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoastal rivers of eastern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommonly 25–30 cm in aquaria; up to ~45 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery long-lived, potentially 20+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePredatory (territorial)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: carnivore pellets, prawn, fish pieces, live and frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–24 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to hard, around 8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater; tolerates light brackish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge native and coldwater predator aquariums and ponds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other robust, similarly sized natives such as larger grunters, silver perch, and other bass in a big system with room and structure.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with any fish small enough to be eaten, delicate or long-finned species, and slow, timid fish. Avoid an under-sized or open-topped tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232769917219,"sku":"AA1521","price":16.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232769949987,"sku":"AA1521-M","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232769982755,"sku":"AA1521-L","price":26.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351954440483,"sku":"AA1521-XL","price":31.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/australian-bass-percalates-n-43878518292771.webp?v=1790305551","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/australian-bass-percalates-novemaculeata","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}