The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145
In a recently published research paper, Oficialdegui et al. (2025) showed that global aquaculture has increasingly relied on farming species outside their native ranges. Indeed, the study identified that the annual growth rate of non-native species produced in aquaculture now exceeds that of native species — and in 2022 alone, 32 million tonnes of non-native aquatic species were farmed, accounting for 37% of the world’s total aquaculture production.
Source: Aquaculture Magazine, 3rd Feb 2026
Three service levels - Scroll down for all details
I sold my farm after 35 years.
I am not interested in waiting around for my “heart attack” I’d rather keep active, "while I wait.”
Now I am keen to help others develop Australian native freshwater fish farms and hatchery procedures.
I am very actively involved in consulting, which really means I am an active "teacher" of the things I learned when I developed my farm from 200 acres of bush land into the largest farm of its type in Australia.
Formally known as Ausyfish, now Aussie Fish Aquatics.
I don't really have the time available for those who are not in a position to develop into serious producers.
However, for those who are serious, and actually have the potential to succeed, I am very keen to pass on skills and tricks I learned and discovered during the development of some of Australia’s freshwater fish into commercial species.
I am still selling fish to anyone interested in growing them as a hobby, (Small quantities only for Australian customers.) and to those that want commercial quantities, especially export markets.
I can deliver almost anywhere in the world.
All my contact details are here
Do you know the difference between a good and a bad consultant?
A bad consultant claims to know everything. (And probably does not have a history of success of his own.)
A good consultant knows, he does not know everything, but he knows where to get accurate information for you.
I am often referred to as the Jade Perch Man, or Perch Man.
I am the founder and designer of Ausyfish
I have been involved with fish at a commercial level for almost 50 years.
First as a retailer of ornamental fish, managing a retail outlet in Melbourne for the largest retail aquarium chain store company in Australia.
Then I went into business for myself in Sydney.
As a retailer, importer and wholesaler of ornamental fish.
Three retail outlets in Sydney, plus a quarantine facility for importing fish, and a wholesale holding facility.
Also a retail outlet in Hervey Bay Queensland and another retail outlet in Tweed Heads, NSW.
My role as industry consultant has given me real cross sector experience at many levels.
Sound advice is available to existing industry participants and those considering entering Australian native freshwater finfish aquaculture.
I gained considerable experience over the years as the commercial development of Australian native freshwater fish industry evolved in Australia.
I was the first to breed many species, including sleepy codfreshwater archer fishand a number of Australian native freshwater fish.
I was the second hatchery in the world to ever spawn jade perch
In the winter of 1988 I was a member of the very first expedition to central Australia to collect the first ever jade perch for breeding.
I have now been spawning them for more spawning seasons, than anyone currently in the industry.
I was also Vice President of the Queensland Aquaculture Industries Federation Inc., (QAIF) for over 3 years.
I sat on the committee of QAIF for over 14 years.
I also sat on a number of Government bodies as an industry consultant, including the Queensland Department of State Development and Innovation's Aquaculture Reference Group, the Queensland Freshwater Management Advisory Committee, the Translocation Sub-Committee for freshwater fish, and Queensland's Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme Sub-Committee.
(An advisory body for stocking freshwater fish in lakes and rivers throughout Queensland for recreational anglers.)
He was also the industry "food safety" representative for a number of years.
As part of my role as industry leader I coordinated many major aquaculture conferences and training workshops.
I also sat on several regional advisory bodies, including, the Fisheries Regional Development Committee for Hervey Bay and the Fisheries Regional Development Committee, Bundaberg.
Why is this website here ?
A long time ago two of my best friends and mentors said that I should write a book. (Thanks John and Rick.)
However, I could not think of anything so boring, as "writing a book."
Especially these days with this new fangled thing called the internet.
The other problem with books is that new information can't be added to it once it's "on the shelf".
But this internet . . . wow, you can just add to, or delete/change information as it becomes available.
That's exactly what I do here. (Last updated March 18th 2026)
THIS . . . is MY BOOK.
The other thing is with this new internet thing, you can include high quality pictures and VIDEO !
My hobby since I was a child has been photography, and making movies. Now called "videography."
Well I am certainly not an expert but I do enjoy making videos, so I put it all together, on YouTube(and my webpages.)
My channel has about 200 videos.
Some of the videos are not public and can only be viewed by subscribing to the members area of this websiteand some of the videos are private, "Premium Client Videos."
Those videos are only available when a fee is paid.
If you look at a play list and see the number of videos listed, but when you count them, there are less videos showing.
This is because the "private" videos are not showing.
For example, the sleepy cod play list shows that there are 14 videos, but you only count 13.
The missing video is a 23 minute private video.
To view a private video I must approve your email address with YouTube.
YouTube will then send you an email with a link, and an invitation to view.
Most of what you will see is from my personal research and commercial practices.
I was able to work with the scientists as they developed the practices that are used today.
This was over decades of real scientific research and commercial experience and understanding of the Australian species.
How these fish actually work in nature has been the absolute key to my success.
For example, I see so many people try to figure out how to spawn these species and try to take short cuts and get the fish to do things they are not "designed" to do.
I'm not saying they are wrong.
The only way to develop something new is to try different things. I also did this.
People should continue to try different things.
That's how innovation happens.
But without FIRST being successful in the normal way, the way the fish are "designed" for, success will always be delayed.
Yes, you might win the lottery, (Biological lottery) but that's just luck.
A true professional doesn't gamble.
He is a builder.
Building on what is known to work first.
Then try different ways.
That's how to make a successful business.
I have to admit, I have found it frustrating to have shown people how things DO WORK, only to come back later and hear they are failing. BUT they are not doing what I showed them.
Yes indeed, very frustrating.
Anyway, I hope I can pass on to you some useful tips and practices that will help you succeed.
Learn how to breed and grow Australian native freshwater fish.
Click picture for video of perch larvae filmed under water 24 hours after hatching
WARNING Beware of the imposter fish click for details
Consultation options and fees.
There are three levels of service.
LEVEL 1
Members area of this web site. Website updated April 16th 2026
You can sign up for one day, three months or one year, from AUD$25.00.
This website contains knowledge gained over almost 40 years.
You can find information about many Australian native freshwater fish species.
Including access to complete details about how to produce them in the hatchery, and grow them for the table.
This information is the most comprehensive collection of knowledge on the internet about Australian Native freshwater fish for aquaculture.
Almost 40 years hands on experience is posted in this area.
To join the members area of this website, email me directly: bruce @ the perch man .com
Once approved, you can access the members area of the this website.
You will notice that the "membership" button on the menu bar now has a "Technical Information" drop down.
Just click on Technical Information, and you are in.
LEVEL 2
I come to you. au$480.00 per day plus expenses.
Site visit,
I visit your facility in most South East Asian countries or anywhere in the eastern states of Australia and South Australia.
The following is a list of services offered.
- Staff training
- How to spawn jade perch and silver perch in full detail
- How to take an egg (oocytes) sample
- How to inject ovulating hormone
- Which hormone to use
- How to release larvae into a plankton pond
- How long from injection to release in plankton pond
- Management of plankton ponds
- Export packing of bulk fry
- General Hatchery design
- Farm design
- Harvesting of fry and adult fish
- Holding practices for fry prior to shipping
- How to set up a plankton pond
- How to raise perch larvae
- How to move larvae to pond
- When do you put the larvae into the plankton pond
- How to condition breeders for spawning
- How to microchip your breeders
- How to design a plankton pond
- How to wean your fry
- How to manage/prevent diseases. No antibiotic !
FEE au$480.00 per day plus travel days. Minimum days on site is three days.
All expenses are additional.
Airfares, meals, accommodation, and out of pocket expenses to be paid by client.
Consulting fee and airfares payable in advance.
NOTE: For long flights, over 5 hours, business class, or equivalent, will be booked for one leg of the trip.
For over 9 hours business class, or equivalent, for all flights.
LEVEL 3 - PREMIUM SERVICE
One fee for 12 months consulting service.
South East Asian countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia and nearby countries, au$6,340.00.
Australian east coast states and South Australia, au$3,140.00.
WHAT YOU GET FOR ONE FEE.
I visit your facility anywhere in most Southeast Asian countries.
Also eastern states of Australia and South Australia.
One on-site visit per year, up to three days on site.
All travel, accommodation and out-of-pocket expenses are included.
This is for one visit only.
If you need me to come more than once during the 12 months, the usual fees will apply.
You can email, phone or message me during the 12 months up to 200 times.
Some of the areas I can help with.
- Staff training.
- One year access to members area of on this web site
- Consultations by phone, email, or app communication, up to 200 times per year.
- Customized (Personalised) instructional videos
- General design and layout of aquaculture sheds, facilities, hatchery, purging etc.
- Farm design and layout
- Site assessment
- Cooperative marketing with other clients in your region
- Hatchery procedures
- Document preparation - includes
- Tailored bio-security/quarantine protocols
- Environmental manage plans
- Operating procedures
- Staff daily task organisers - check lists (Tick sheet)
- Quarantine protocols
- Bio-security
- Daily start-up and close down procedures
- Codes of practice
- Disease management plans
- Customised Disease Management Manual
ALSO INCLUDED is 2 years access to all the PREMIUM CLIENT videos
These videos cover in full detail many subjects including:
> Exactly how to spawn Australian freshwater fish
> How to condition breeders for spawning
> How to microchip your breeders
> How to take an egg (oocytes) sample
> How to inject ovulating hormone
> Which hormone to use
> How to release larvae into a plankton pond
> How long from injection to releasing larvae into a plankton pond
> How to fertilise a plankton pond
> How to design a plankton pond
> How to breed jade perch
> How to breed silver perch
> How to breed sleepy cod (soon hock)
> How to wean your fry
> How to manage/prevent diseases. With NO antibiotic !
> How to design your hatchery
> Farm design
. . . and many more
INCLUDED Special video requests made to order.
Currently working with clients in, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Laos, Indonesia, and Australia.
*Right click on images then open in new tab to see full size image
Malaysia, Singapore and Batam 2025
Jakarta 2025
Meeting in Hong Kong, clients from Mainland China July 2023
Working with Hong Kong fisheries department July 2023
New broodstock jade perch arrive in Malaysia August 2023
First ever jade perch for Laos arrive July 2023 Click for video
Malaysia July 2022 developing breeding of jade perch
Laos July 2022 visit two new jade perch farm sites in Laos.
Perth February 2020 - Silver perch grow out facility click for video
Malaysia December 2019 - Breeding jade perch.
Singapore December 2019
Hong Kong December 2019. Introducing business opportunities with other Australian companies.
Below Jade perch farm near Ipoh Malaysia
Below working with client breeding program in Ipoh, Malaysia.
Below: working with hatcheries and farms in Malaysia. Developing best practices and disease management tools.
Below unpacking jade perch fry in Malaysia
Below, Australian freshwater table fish get attention from James Cook University, Singapore campus, and growers.
Below left site compliance and accreditation. Below right. In China, weaning difficult species.
Below: on site in Hong Kong demonstrating management with video presentation, and practical handeling methods.
Teaching practical skills to staff in Hong Kong and Malaysia
BELOW LEFT: Hong Kong Fisheries Department. RIGHT: Unpacking jade perch in China
BELOW: Leon Ashby Operations Manager for Queensland Senator Fraser Anning Leon's wife, Jane on the right. Advice on future aquaculture potential in Queensland.
Below: Design and construction of fish farms and hatcheries.
Below: Spawning Australian native freshwater fish
Below: Disease management and treatment practices
Below; Developing management practices
Looks like you are interested in becoming a fish farmer.
Many people have entered aquaculture without realising they are starting a business.
It’s not just a “side line”, it’s a business on its own. You need to consider; do you have the time to manage a new business?
Do you have the necessary skills to grow fish?
Do you have the time and commitment to learn a new skill?
All my contact information is here
OTHER SPECIES
Click the picture for video - Low altitude passes over Barcoo River - with surprise ending
