{"product_id":"southern-pygmy-perch","title":"Southern Pygmy Perch","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAbout the Southern Pygmy Perch\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Southern Pygmy Perch is a fascinating Australian native freshwater fish, prized for its compact size, inquisitive personality, and beautiful natural colouration. Found throughout southeastern Australia, this small perch displays subtle olive, bronze, and golden tones with delicate dark markings that provide excellent camouflage amongst aquatic plants and submerged timber.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite its name, the Southern Pygmy Perch is peaceful and well suited to native species aquariums and cool-water community setups. They are curious fish that spend much of their time exploring vegetation, driftwood, and rocky habitats in search of small invertebrates. Their natural behaviour makes them an engaging species to observe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouthern Pygmy Perch thrive in heavily planted aquariums with plenty of hiding places and gentle water movement. They appreciate stable water conditions and a varied diet consisting of quality micro pellets, frozen foods, live foods, and small crustaceans. They can be maintained in small groups and are an excellent choice for aquarists interested in keeping Australian native fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNannoperca australis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouthern Pygmy Perch\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOrigin\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoutheastern Australia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6–8 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTemperament\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDiet\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60 Litres\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTemperature\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e16–24°C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003epH\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6.5–8.0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWater Hardness\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4–20 dGH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLifespan\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4–6 Years\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian native aquariums and cool-water community tanks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre Southern Pygmy Perch suitable for beginners?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are best suited to aquarists with some experience, as they prefer stable water conditions and benefit from a varied, protein-rich diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat do Southern Pygmy Perch eat?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey primarily feed on small aquatic insects, crustaceans, worms, frozen foods, live foods, and quality sinking micro pellets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan Southern Pygmy Perch live with shrimp?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarger shrimp may coexist successfully, but smaller shrimp and shrimplets are likely to be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo Southern Pygmy Perch need a heater?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot always. They naturally inhabit cooler waterways and generally thrive between 16°C and 24°C, depending on your local climate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre Southern Pygmy Perch aggressive?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. They are generally peaceful, although they may consume very small fish or invertebrates that fit into their mouths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eKeeping them in tropical temperatures year-round\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouthern Pygmy Perch naturally prefer cooler water than many tropical aquarium fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eProviding too few hiding places\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDense plants, rocks, and driftwood help reduce stress and encourage natural behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFeeding only dry foods\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA varied diet including frozen and live foods promotes excellent health and natural colouration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHousing them with large predatory fish\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose peaceful tank mates that won't outcompete or prey upon them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePoor water quality\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegular maintenance and stable water parameters are essential for keeping this Australian native healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48853878145163,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/KHNe6CtAW3SXZNjoRZK42mYZEpTWaL72mgANBx3PupvMJsnIXEcRxBrWlCpG4O1_KWNrkErTXHHC8k3iLMALAUAauHQPvEmdNl8q7ZCBLikxL34kzy_yd8IlhQufUHJ9URQqvHdp7ygkAhTycYz1UCGHmtDz7HNO2-KxOuyFs19hYblLxWfNn1L.jpg?v=1785908709","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/southern-pygmy-perch","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}