Leiopotherapon unicolor

(Spangled perch)

Description

Moderate sized fish with a slender though cylindrical body in cross-section. Males and females are similar in size and appearance. This attractive fish has silvery grey to silvery blue body which is covered with numerous reddish-brown spots, except on the belly. Juveniles have a distinctive dark bar on ventral surface of tail fin. It is found in a wide range of habitats ranging from small pools to flowing streams and lakes. Feeds mainly on invertebrates (aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans and some molluscs) but will also eat small fish and some algae and aquatic weeds