Where I get my fish

Why jade perch

I run jade perch on the Gold Coast and I have always been happy with them. They are an Aussie native, they cope well with our subtropical climate, they grow fast, they are forgiving for a beginner, and they are a genuinely good eating fish.

Where I buy them

I get mine from Bruce, the Perch Man, at jadeperch.com. You order direct by emailing him at bruce@theperchman.com and telling him what you are after. My fingerlings come up by air in a cool box for pickup at Brisbane Airport, and it has been reliable every time. Bruce has been breeding and shipping live fish for decades, so you are dealing with someone who knows exactly how to get them to you alive.

Email him for a current quote and minimum order rather than relying on any price you read online, including here, because those move around.

Things to know before you buy

A couple of rules worth checking, because they are your responsibility, not the seller's:

• Jade perch are not permitted to be stocked in farm dams.
• They cannot be sent to Western Australia.

And a climate note: jade perch more or less stop surface feeding below about 18°C, and some growers have lost stock over winter. Our Gold Coast winter is mild enough that I run without heating, but a colder site, or a bad cold snap, is the risk window. Your location may need a different plan.

Bruce on jade perch

Bruce knows jade perch inside out. This interview with Bruce, the Perch Man is worth a listen before you order.