The family Percichthyidae, often called the temperate perches, consists of 22 species in 11 genera (Fishbase). It is an "uncomfortable" (my terminology) family and further work will probably split off some of the species into other families. As it currently stands most of the temperate perches are found in Australia (and are considered closely related to the Serranidae - a quick look at the Murray River Cod will show the resemblance). Other members of the family are found in South America (mostly in Chile and Argentina).
The Murray River Cod, mentioned earlier and depicted below, was photographed in a public aquarium. The fish was huge, probably 5 feet long. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it track a toddler who was walking past the glass. The giant cod slowly swiveled to keep the child in its sights. The thought went through my head that if the kid was swimming it was Murray River Cod tucker. Sadly, Murray River Cod, like almost everything native that lives in the Murray River is endangered. While fishing has been a contributing factor it is mostly due to Australia's pathetic management of this precious river ecosystem which they have belatedly (and probably too-latedly) acknowledged.
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Ryan Photographic - Percichthyidae - Temperate perches
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