{"product_id":"spangled-perch-leiopotherapon-unicolor","title":"Spangled Perch | Leiopotherapon unicolor","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuite possibly the toughest fish in Australia, the Spangled Perch survives outback puddles, bore drains and searing heat, then bounces straight back from extremes that would finish most fish. Bulletproof, adaptable and always hungry, it reaches around 20–25 cm and is an easy, characterful choice for a robust native aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeiopotherapon unicolor is the most widespread freshwater fish in Australia, found across almost the entire mainland. It thrives in an astonishing range of habitats — rivers, billabongs, bores and temporary desert waterholes — tolerating wide swings in temperature, oxygen and water quality that few other species could endure.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA deep-bodied grunter in silvery-grey to olive, its flanks and fins peppered with the reddish-brown \"spangles\" that give it its name. The scales catch the light attractively, and the overall look is neat and workmanlike rather than showy — a classic hardy native.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBoldly semi-aggressive and greedy, the Spangled Perch will harass or nip smaller and slower tank mates and competes hard at feeding time. It is best kept with similarly robust natives of comparable size, and a group helps spread any squabbling. Not a fish for a peaceful community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn opportunistic omnivore that eats almost anything — quality pellets and flake, frozen and live foods such as bloodworm and prawn, insects and even plant matter. It is an enthusiastic, competitive feeder, so ensure shyer tank mates get their share.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide at least 200 L for a group, with room to swim. This is one of the most adaptable fish in the hobby: it tolerates a very wide temperature range and will accept pH from around 6.0 to 8.5 and soft to hard water. Aim for 18–28 °C for everyday keeping, with good filtration and a secure lid, as it can jump.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpangled Perch are prolific egg-scatterers triggered by rising water levels and warmth, releasing large numbers of non-adhesive eggs that are left to drift and hatch without parental care. In the wild this lets them colonise newly flooded habitat rapidly; deliberate spawning in aquaria is uncommon but not difficult given space.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLeiopotherapon unicolor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpangled Perch, Spangled Grunter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAustralia (widespread across the mainland)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 20–25 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: pellets, flake, frozen and live foods, insects\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–28 °C (tolerates a very wide range)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–8.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to hard, around 5–25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRobust Australian native aquariums\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\u003eMostly (may nibble soft plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other hardy natives of similar size such as silver perch, larger rainbowfish, grunters and cod in a spacious tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small, slow or long-finned fish that will be nipped or eaten, and with delicate soft-water community species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232771326243,"sku":null,"price":8.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232771359011,"sku":"AA3642","price":11.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232771391779,"sku":null,"price":16.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351957356835,"sku":null,"price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Spangled_Perch.jpg?v=1781482312","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/spangled-perch-leiopotherapon-unicolor","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}