Perch

Perch is the name of a freshwater perciform fish belonging to the genus Perca. Perch have "rough" scales. When looking through a microscope, the scales look like a plate with growth rings and spikes on the top edges. On the top side of the fish, there is a mouth, a pair of nostrils, and two lidless eyes. On the bottom sides are the operculum, which are used to protect the gills. Also perch have a lateral line system, which a set of sense organs that are sensitive to vibrations in the water. They have a pair of pectoral and pelvic fins. On the front end of the fish, there are two dorsal fins. The first one is spiny and the second is soft. There is also an anal fin, which is also considered spiny, and a caudal fin.

Perch
Yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Percidae
Subfamily:
Percinae
Genus:
Perca

Linnaeus, 1758

Species

There are three extant species and five extinct species within this genus:

Extant

Extinct
  • Perca ashtonae Aguilera, 2022
  • Perca alligator Aguilera, 2020
  • Perca aulopus Aguilera, 2019
  • Perca cyprinia Aguilera, 2021
  • Perca zorzinia Aguilera, 2022

Habitats

Typically, perch are classified as carnivores, choosing waters where smaller fish, shellfish, and insect larvae are abundant. They can be found in parts of the United States in freshwater ponds, lakes, streams, or rivers. These fish can be found in fresh water all over the world, and are known to inhabit the Great Lakes region, in particular Lake Erie. The fish inhabit bodies of water where vegetation and debris is accessible. In the spring when the perch chooses to spawn, they use vegetation to conceal their eggs from predators.

Percidae

Main article: Percidae

The Percidae are a family of ray-finned fish, part of the order Perciformes, which are found in fresh and brackish waters of the Northern Hemisphere. The majority are Nearctic, but there are also Palearctic species. The family contains more than 200 species in 11 genera.

Fossil genera

Perch as food

Perch are well-loved due to their tasty flavor and desirability as sport fish. Many species under the Percidae may be referred to as perch. This common name refers to either European perch (Perca fluviatilis), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), or Balkhash perch (Perca schrenkii). These freshwater fish are native to Europe, Asia, and North America.

Nicknames

The perch has a variety of nicknames such as freshwater perch, Dodd fish, or poor man's rockfish.

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