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{{short description|Genus of fishes}}
{{Short description|Genus of fishes}}
{{About|the genus of fish}}
{{About|the genus of fish}}
{{redirect|Perches|the commune in Haiti|Perches, Nord-Est}}
{{Redirect|Perches|the commune in Haiti|Perches, Nord-Est}}
{{redirect|The Perch|the pub in Binsey, Oxfordshire|The Perch (Binsey)}}
{{Redirect|The Perch|the pub in Binsey, Oxfordshire|The Perch (Binsey)}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2017}}
{{Automatic taxobox
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Perches
| name = Perches
| fossil_range = {{fossil range|3.6|0|[[Pliocene]]–recent}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?action=home|title=Perca Linnaeus 1758 (perch)}}</ref>
| fossil_range = {{fossil range|3.6|0|[[Pliocene]]–recent}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fossilworks.org|title=Perca Linnaeus 1758 (perch)}}</ref>
| image = YellowPerch.jpg
| image = YellowPerch.jpg
| image_caption = [[Yellow perch]] (''Perca flavescens'')
| image_caption = [[Yellow perch]] (''Perca flavescens'')
Line 21: Line 20:
}}
}}


'''Perch''' is a common name for [[fish]] of the genus '''''Perca''''', freshwater [[gamefish]] belonging to the family [[Percidae]]. The perch, of which three species occur in different geographical areas, lend their name to a large order of [[vertebrate]]s: the [[Perciform]]es, from the {{lang-el|πέρκη}} ({{transl|el|perke}}), simply meaning perch, and the [[Latin]] ''forma'' meaning shape. Many species of freshwater gamefish more or less resemble perch, but belong to different genera. In fact, the exclusively saltwater-dwelling [[red drum]] is often referred to as a red perch, though by definition perch are freshwater fish. Though many fish are referred to as perch as a common name, to be considered a true perch, the fish must be of the family Percidae.
'''Perch''' is a [[common name]] for [[freshwater fish]] from the [[genus]] '''''Perca''''', which belongs to the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Percidae]] of the large [[order (biology)|order]] [[Perciformes]]. The name comes from {{langx|el|πέρκη|perke}}, meaning the [[type species]] of this genus, the [[European perch]] (''P. fluviatilis'').


Many species of freshwater [[game fish]] more or less resemble perch, but belong to different genera. In fact, the exclusively saltwater-dwelling [[red drum]] (which belong to a different order [[Acanthuriformes]]) is often referred to as a "red perch", though by definition perch are freshwater species. Though many fish are referred to as perch as a common name, to be considered a true perch, the fish must be of the family Percidae.
The [[type species]] for this genus is the [[European perch]], ''P. fluviatilis''.


==Species==
==Species==
Most authorities recognize three species within the perch genus:
Most authorities recognize three species within the perch genus:
* The [[European perch]] (''P. fluviatilis'') is found in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. This species is typically greenish in color with dark vertical bars on its sides with a red or orange coloring in the tips of its fins. The European perch has been successfully introduced in [[New Zealand]] and [[Australia]], where it is known as the redfin perch or English perch. In Australia, larger specimens have been bred, but the species rarely grows heavier than {{convert|6|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}}.
* The [[European perch]] (''P. fluviatilis'') is primarily found in [[Europe]], but a few can also be found in [[South Africa]], and even as far east on the [[Southern Hemisphere|Southern hemisphere]] as [[Australia]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Orban |first1=Elena |last2= Nevigato |first2=Teresina |last3=Masci |first3=Maurizio |last4=Di Lena |first4=Gabriella |last5=Casini |first5=Irene |last6=Caproni |first6=Roberto |last7=Gambelli |first7=Loretta |last8=De Angelis |first8=Paola |last9=Rampacci |first9=Massimo |orig-date=December 1, 2005 |title=Nutritional quality and safety of European perch (Perca fluviatilis) from three lakes of Central Italy |url= https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0308814605008903 |journal=Food Chemistry |year=2007 |language=en |volume=100 |issue=2 |pages=482–490 |doi=10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.09.069}}</ref> This species is typically greenish in color with dark vertical bars on its sides with a red or orange coloring in the tips of its fins. The European perch has been successfully introduced in [[New Zealand]] and [[Australia]], where it is known as the redfin perch or English perch. In Australia, larger specimens have been bred, but the species rarely grows heavier than {{convert|6|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}}.
* The [[Balkhash perch]] (''P. schrenkii'') is found in [[Kazakhstan]], (in [[Lake Balkhash]] and [[Lake Alakol]]), [[Uzbekistan]], and [[China]]. It has a dark gray/black color on its dorsal side, but the ventral areas of the fish are a lighter silver or even sometimes green color. The Balkhash perch also displays the vertical bars on its sides, similar to the European and yellow perches. In the latter half of the 20th century, the Balkhash perch was introduced into the basins of the [[Nuru River|Nuru]] and [[Chu (river)|Chu]] rivers. The introduction of these fishes to the Nuru and Chu rivers was successful. Because of this success, the population of Balkhash perch in the Balkhash Lake is rarer now. They are similar in size to the yellow and European perches, weighing around {{cvt|1.5|kg|lboz}}.<ref>{{Citation |title=Biology of Balkhash Perch (Perca schrenkii Kessler, 1874) |date=2015-08-05 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/b18806-6 |work=Biology of Perch |pages=57–82 |publisher=CRC Press |doi=10.1201/b18806-6 |isbn=9780429069468 |access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>
* The [[Balkhash perch]] (''P. schrenkii'') is found in [[Kazakhstan]], (in [[Lake Balkhash]] and [[Lake Alakol]]), [[Uzbekistan]], and [[China]]. It is very similar to the European perch, and grows to a comparable size.
* The [[yellow perch]] (''P. flavescens''), smaller and paler than the [[European perch]], is found in [[North America]]. In northern areas, it is sometimes referred to as the lake perch. This species is prized for its food quality and has often been raised in hatcheries and introduced into areas in which it is not native. Yellow perch are almost identical in appearance to European perch, but have a more yellow coloring. These fish typically only reach a size of about {{convert|15|in|cm|order=flip|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}.
* The [[yellow perch]] (''P. flavescens''), smaller and paler than the European perch (but otherwise nearly identical), is found in [[North America]]. In northern areas, it is sometimes referred to as the lake perch. This species is prized for its food quality and has often been raised in hatcheries and introduced into areas in which it is not native. These fish typically only reach a size of about {{convert|15|in|cm|order=flip|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}.{{Multiple image
| image1 = Perca fluviatilis - Perche commune - European perch Cropped.jpg
| image2 = Perca flavescens 404567755 (cropped).jpg
| total_width = 630
| caption1 = ''[[Perca fluviatilis]]''
| caption2 = ''[[Perca flavescens]]''
| image3 = Perca schrenkii.png
| caption3 = ''[[Perca schrenkii]]''
| align = center
}}


==Anatomy==
==Anatomy==
[[File:Perca fluviatilis 1879.jpg|thumb|European perch (''Perca fluviatilis''), exhibiting its green coloration and red tipped fins, as well as the vertical bars on its sides.<ref>{{Citation |last=Lydon |first=Alexander Francis |title=Perca fluviatilis |date=1879 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Perca_fluviatilis_1879.jpg |access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>]]
[[File:Perch head.JPG|thumb|Skull of the European Perch showing the eye sockets, connective bones, operculum, and gill slits.]]
[[File:Perch head.JPG|thumb|Skull of the European Perch showing the eye sockets, connective bones, operculum, and gill slits.<ref>{{Citation |first=H |last=Cholmondeley-Pennell |title=English: Head of the European perch (Perca fluviatilis) |date=1863 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Perch_head.JPG |access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>]]


=== External Anatomy: ===
=== External anatomy ===
Perch have a long and round body shape which allows for fast swimming in the water. True perch have "rough" or [[ctenoid]] scales. Perch have paired [[Pectoral fin|pectoral]] and [[pelvic fin]]s, and two [[dorsal fin]]s, the first one spiny and the second soft. These two fins can be separate or joined.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Weatherley |first=A. H. |date=1963-03-01 |title=A Note on the Head Kidney and Kidney of the Perch Perca Fluviatilis (linnaeus), with Special Reference to the Blood Vascular System |journal=Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London |language=en |volume=140 |issue=2 |pages=161–167 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.1963.tb01859.x |issn=1469-7998}}</ref> The head consists of the [[skull]] (formed from loosely connected bones), [[Eye|eyes]], [[mouth]], [[Operculum (fish)|operculum]], [[Gill|gills]], and a pair of [[Nostril|nostrils]] (which has no connection to the oral cavity). They have small brush-like teeth across their [[Jaw|jaws]] and on the roof of their mouth. The gills are located under the operculum on both sides of the head and are used to extract oxygen molecules from water and expel carbon dioxide; the gills have [[Gill raker|gill rakers]] inside the mouth.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Romer |first=Alfred Sherwood |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3003870 |title=The vertebrate body |date=1977 |publisher=Saunders |others=Thomas S. Parsons |isbn=0-7216-7668-5 |edition=5th |location=Philadelphia |oclc=3003870}}</ref>
Perch have a long and round body shape which allows for fast swimming in the water. True perch have "rough" or [[ctenoid]] scales. Perch have paired [[Pectoral fin|pectoral]] and [[pelvic fin]]s, and two [[dorsal fin]]s, the first one spiny and the second soft. These two fins can be separate or joined.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Weatherley |first=A. H. |date=1963-03-01 |title=A Note on the Head Kidney and Kidney of the Perch Perca Fluviatilis (linnaeus), with Special Reference to the Blood Vascular System |journal=Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London |language=en |volume=140 |issue=2 |pages=161–167 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.1963.tb01859.x |issn=1469-7998}}</ref> The head consists of the [[skull]] (formed from loosely connected bones), [[eye]]s, [[mouth]], [[Operculum (fish)|operculum]], [[gill]]s, and a pair of [[nostril]]s (which has no connection to the oral cavity). They have small brush-like teeth across their [[jaw]]s and on the roof of their mouth. The gills are located under the operculum on both sides of the head and are used to extract oxygen molecules from water and expel carbon dioxide; the gills have [[gill raker]]s inside the mouth.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Romer |first=Alfred Sherwood |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3003870 |title=The vertebrate body |date=1977 |publisher=Saunders |others=Thomas S. Parsons |isbn=0-7216-7668-5 |edition=5th |location=Philadelphia |oclc=3003870}}</ref>


External anatomy can be used to determine the [[sex]] of a perch fish in multiple ways. Fish have two posterior openings located on their abdomen, the [[Anus|anal]] and [[Urogenital opening|urogenital]]. In males, the shape of the urogenital opening is round and larger than the anal opening. In females, the urogenital opening is often a V- or U-shape which is a similar size to the anal opening. Also, Males usually have a more brown-red colored urogenital opening compared to females <ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shepherd |first=Brian S. |last2=Rees |first2=Christopher B. |last3=Sepulveda‐Villet |first3=Osvaldo J. |last4=Palmquist |first4=Debra E. |last5=Binkowski |first5=Fred P. |date=May 13, 2013 |title=Identification of Gender in Yellow Perch by External Morphology: Validation in Four Geographic Strains and Effects of Estradiol |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1080/15222055.2013.783520 |journal=North American Journal of Aquaculture |language=en |volume=75 |issue=3 |pages=361–372 |doi=10.1080/15222055.2013.783520 |issn=1522-2055}}</ref>.
External anatomy can be used to determine the [[sex]] of perch in multiple ways. Perch have two posterior openings located on their abdomen, the [[Anus|anal]] and [[Urogenital opening|urogenital]]. In males, the shape of the urogenital opening is round and larger than the anal opening. In females, the urogenital opening is often a V- or U-shape which is a similar size to the anal opening. Also, males usually have a more brown-red colored urogenital opening compared to females.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Shepherd |first1= Brian S. |last2=Rees |first2=Christopher B. |last3=Sepulveda-Villet |first3=Osvaldo J. |last4=Palmquist |first4=Debra E. |last5= Binkowski |first5=Fred P. |display-authors= 3| date=May 13, 2013 |title=Identification of Gender in Yellow Perch by External Morphology: Validation in Four Geographic Strains and Effects of Estradiol |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1080/15222055.2013.783520 |journal= North American Journal of Aquaculture |language=en |volume=75 |issue=3 |pages=361–372 |doi=10.1080/15222055.2013.783520 |issn=1522-2055}}</ref>


=== Internal Anatomy: ===
=== Internal anatomy ===
The [[esophagus]] is a flexible tube that goes from the mouth to the stomach. The [[stomach]] is connected to the intestine via the [[pyloric sphincter]] <ref name=":1" />.  [[File:Oste082p labelled.png|thumb|The above picture is a labeled image of the internal anatomy of the species Perch Perca flavescens. Each letter corresponds to an internal body part, A: gills, B: auricle of the heart, C: ventricle of the heart, D: liver, E: stomach, F: digestive cecum, G: swim bladder, H: intestine, I: testis, and J: urinary bladder.<ref>{{Citation |last=Houseman |first=Jon |title=English: Internal Anatomy of the Perch Perca flavescens. |date=2013-05-22 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oste082p_labelled.png |access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>]]
The [[esophagus]] is a flexible tube that goes from the mouth to the stomach. The [[stomach]] is connected to the intestine via the [[pyloric sphincter]].<ref name=":1" /> The [[intestines]] of perch consist of the [[small intestine]] and [[large intestine]]; the intestines have many [[Pyloric caecae|pyloric caeca]] and a [[Spiral valve|spiral value]], the small intestine consists of a part called the [[duodenum]]. The [[spleen]] is located after the stomach and before the spiral value. The spleen is connected to the [[circulatory system]], not part of the [[digestive tract]]. The [[liver]] is composed of three lobes: one small lobe (includes the gall bladder) and two large lobes. Perch have long and narrow [[kidney]]s that contain clusters of [[nephron]]s which empty into the [[mesonephric duct]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last1=Parker | first1=Blair | first2= Wakee | last2= McKenzie |url= https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1132388392 |title=Origin and Evolution of Vertebrates |date=2019 |publisher=EDTECH |isbn= 978-1-83947-454-5 |oclc=1132388392}}</ref> They have a two-chambered [[heart]] consisting of four compartments: the [[Sinus venosus|sinus venous]], one [[Atrium (heart)|atrium]], one [[Ventricle (heart)|ventricle]], and [[Infundibulum (heart)|conus]].<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal |last=Randall |first=D. J. |date=1968-05-01 |title=Functional Morphology of the Heart in Fishes |journal=American Zoologist |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=179–189 |doi=10.1093/icb/8.2.179 |pmid=5738636 |issn=0003-1569|doi-access=free }}</ref> Perch have a [[swim bladder]] that helps control [[buoyancy]] or floating within the water, the swim bladder is only found in bony fish. In perch, the duct connecting the swim bladder to the [[pharynx]] is closed so air is unable to pass through from the mouth, these fish are called [[Physoclistic|''physoclists'']]. Specifically in perch, the gas bladder can vary from 12% to 25% of [[oxygen]] and 1.4% to 2.9% of [[carbon dioxide]] gas.<ref>{{Cite book |last1= Chiasson| first1= Robert |first2= William J. | last2= Radke |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/640832481 |title=Laboratory anatomy of the perch |date=1991 |publisher=Wm. C. Brown |oclc=640832481}}</ref> Perch [[Reproductive organs of fish|reproductive organs]] include either a pair of [[testes]] (sperm-producing) or a pair of [[Ovary|ovaries]] (egg-producing).<ref name=":02" /> [[File:Oste082p labelled.png|thumb|The above picture is a labeled image of the internal anatomy of the species Perch Perca flavescens. Each letter corresponds to an internal body part, A: gills, B: auricle of the heart, C: ventricle of the heart, D: liver, E: stomach, F: digestive cecum, G: swim bladder, H: intestine, I: testis, and J: urinary bladder.<ref>{{Citation |last=Houseman |first=Jon |title=English: Internal Anatomy of the Perch Perca flavescens. |date=2013-05-22 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oste082p_labelled.png |access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>]]


==Habitats==
==Habitats==


Perch are classified as [[Carnivore|carnivores]], choosing waters where smaller fish, [[shellfish]], and insect [[Larva|larvae]] are abundant. The Perch can be found in the central parts of the United States in freshwater ponds, lakes, streams, or rivers. These fish can be found in freshwater all over the world, and are known to inhabit the [[Great Lakes|Great Lake]] region, in particular [[Lake Erie]]. These fish inhabit bodies of water where vegetation and debris is readily accessible. In the spring when the Perch chooses to [[Spawn (biology)|spawn]], they use vegetation to conceal their eggs from predators.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pringle |first=Robert M. |date=2005-09-01 |title=The Origins of the Nile Perch in Lake Victoria |url=https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[0780:TOOTNP]2.0.CO;2 |journal=BioScience |volume=55 |issue=9 |pages=780–787 |doi=10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[0780:TOOTNP]2.0.CO;2 |issn=0006-3568}}</ref>
Perch are classified as [[carnivore]]s, choosing waters where smaller fish, [[shellfish]], zooplankton, and insect [[larva]]e are abundant.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Amundsen |first1=Per-Arne |last2=Bøhn |first2=Thomas |last3=Popova |first3=Olga A. |last4=Staldvik |first4=Frode J. |last5=Reshetnikov |first5=Yuri S. |last6=Kashulin |first6=Nikolay A. |last7=Lukin |first7=Anatoly A. |date=2003-05-01 |title=Ontogenetic niche shifts and resource partitioning in a subarctic piscivore fish guild |url=https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025465705717 |journal=Hydrobiologia |language=en |volume=497 |issue=1 |pages=109–119 |doi=10.1023/A:1025465705717 |issn=1573-5117|hdl=10037/19124 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Höhne |first1=Leander |last2=Palmer |first2=Miquel |last3=Monk |first3=Christopher T. |last4=Matern |first4=Sven |last5=Nikolaus |first5=Robert |last6=Trudeau |first6=Ashley |last7=Arlinghaus |first7=Robert |date=2020-02-07 |title=Environmental determinants of perch ( Perca fluviatilis ) growth in gravel pit lakes and the relative performance of simple versus complex ecological predictors |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eff.12532 |journal=Ecology of Freshwater Fish |language=en |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=557–573 |doi=10.1111/eff.12532 |issn=0906-6691|hdl=10261/226087 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> The yellow perch can be found in the central parts of the United States in freshwater ponds, lakes, streams, or rivers. These fish can be found in freshwater all over the world, and are known to inhabit the [[Great Lakes|Great Lake]] region, in particular [[Lake Erie]]. These fish inhabit bodies of water where vegetation and debris is readily accessible.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hargeby |first1=Anders |last2=Blom |first2=Henrik |last3=Blindow |first3=Irmgard |last4=Andersson |first4=Gunnar |date=2005-09-23 |title=Increased growth and recruitment of piscivorous perch, Perca fluviatilis , during a transient phase of expanding submerged vegetation in a shallow lake |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2005.01446.x |journal=Freshwater Biology |language=en |volume=50 |issue=12 |pages=2053–2062 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2427.2005.01446.x |issn=0046-5070}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Diehl |first=Sebastian |date=1988 |title=Foraging Efficiency of Three Freshwater Fishes: Effects of Structural Complexity and Light |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3566064 |journal=Oikos |volume=53 |issue=2 |pages=207–214 |doi=10.2307/3566064 |jstor=3566064 |issn=0030-1299}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Persson |first1=Lennart |last2=Eklov |first2=Peter |date=1995-01-01 |title=Prey Refuges Affecting Interactions Between Piscivorous Perch and Juvenile Perch and Roach |url=https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2307/1940632 |journal=Ecology |language=en |volume=76 |issue=1 |pages=70–81 |doi=10.2307/1940632 |jstor=1940632 |issn=0012-9658}}</ref> In the spring when the perch chooses to [[Spawn (biology)|spawn]], they use vegetation to conceal their eggs from predators.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pringle |first=Robert M. |date=2005-09-01 |title=The Origins of the Nile Perch in Lake Victoria |journal=BioScience |volume=55 |issue=9 |pages=780–787 |doi=10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[0780:TOOTNP]2.0.CO;2 |s2cid=13720490 |issn=0006-3568|doi-access=free }}</ref>


==Fishing==
==Fishing==
Perch are a popular [[gamefish|sport fish]] species. They are known to put up a fight, and to be good for eating. They can be caught with a variety of methods, including [[Fishing float|float]] fishing, lure fishing, and [[Bottom fishing|legering]]. <!-- not encyclopedic how-to Methods includ using a small hook and casting into the weeds just before the drop off. When fishing with bait, the angler will want to have a [[disgorger]]; perch are notorious for swallowing the hook, and will need aid of a [[disgorger]] or [[forceps]] for unhooking. In many parts of the world, they are also a favourite species among ice fishermen. They will take a variety of baits, including [[minnow]]s, [[worm]]s, [[maggot]]s, [[Common goldfish|goldfish]], pieces of raw [[bacon]], [[prawn]], and softshell [[crayfish]], but seem to prefer shrimp ([[Caridina]], [[Neocaridina]], [[Palaemon (genus)|Palaemon]]), [[Krill]], small fish, [[Lob worm|lobworms]], [[ragworm]]s, red [[maggot]]s, and [[Fishing lure|lure]]s.--> Fly fishing for perch using patterns that imitate small fry or invertebrates can be successful. The record weight for this fish in Britain is {{convert|2.81|kg|lboz|frac=2|abbr=on}}, the Netherlands {{convert|3.05|kg|lboz|frac=2|abbr=on}},<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beet.nl/record/nederlands-record-baars-56-cm/|title = Nederlands record baars 56 cm - Bekijk de foto's, lees het vangstverslag!}}</ref> and in America {{convert|2.83|kg|lboz|frac=2|abbr=on}}.
Perch are a popular [[gamefish|sport fish]] species. They are known to put up a fight, and to be good for eating. They can be caught with a variety of methods, including [[Fishing float|float]] fishing, lure fishing, and [[Bottom fishing|legering]]. <!-- not encyclopedic how-to Methods includ using a small hook and casting into the weeds just before the drop off. When fishing with bait, the angler will want to have a [[disgorger]]; perch are notorious for swallowing the hook, and will need aid of a [[disgorger]] or [[forceps]] for unhooking. In many parts of the world, they are also a favourite species among ice fishermen. They will take a variety of baits, including [[minnow]]s, [[worm]]s, [[maggot]]s, [[Common goldfish|goldfish]], pieces of raw [[bacon]], [[prawn]], and softshell [[crayfish]], but seem to prefer shrimp ([[Caridina]], [[Neocaridina]], [[Palaemon (genus)|Palaemon]]), [[Krill]], small fish, [[Lob worm|lobworms]], [[ragworm]]s, red [[maggot]]s, and [[Fishing lure|lure]]s.--> Fly fishing for perch using patterns that imitate small fry or invertebrates can be successful. The record weight for this fish in Britain is {{convert|2.81|kg|lboz|frac=2|abbr=on}}, the Netherlands {{convert|3.05|kg|lboz|frac=2|abbr=on}},<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beet.nl/record/nederlands-record-baars-56-cm/|title = Nederlands record baars 56 cm - Bekijk de foto's, lees het vangstverslag!}}</ref> and in America {{convert|2.83|kg|lboz|frac=2|abbr=on}}. The biggest recorded catch in Sweden is 3.15 kg (6lb 15oz) in 1985.


Perch grow to around {{convert|50|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|5|lb|kg|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} or more, but the most common size caught are around {{convert|30|cm|ft|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1|lb|g|sigfig=2|abbr=on|order=flip}} or less and anything over {{convert|40|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|2|lb|g|sigfig=1|abbr=on|order=flip}} is considered a prize catch.
Perch grow to around {{convert|50|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|5|lb|kg|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} or more, but the most common size caught are around {{convert|30|cm|ft|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1|lb|g|sigfig=2|abbr=on|order=flip}} or less and anything over {{convert|40|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|2|lb|g|sigfig=1|abbr=on|order=flip}} is considered a prize catch.

==See also==
*For other perch not in the genus ''Perca'', see [[Perch (disambiguation)]].


==References==
==References==
Line 58: Line 64:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{commonscat-inline|Perca}}
*{{Commons category-inline|Perca}}


{{Seafood}}
{{Seafood}}
{{Meat|state=collapsed}}
{{Meat|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q600262}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q600262}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Perch| ]]
[[Category:Perch| ]]
[[Category:Sport fish]]
[[Category:Game fish]]
[[Category:Vermont cuisine]]
[[Category:Vermont cuisine]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]

Latest revision as of 08:29, 18 November 2024

This article is about the genus of fish. For other uses, see Perch (disambiguation).
"Perches" redirects here. For the commune in Haiti, see Perches, Nord-Est.
"The Perch" redirects here. For the pub in Binsey, Oxfordshire, see The Perch (Binsey).

Perches
Temporal range: Pliocene–recent
↓
[1]
Yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Percidae
Subfamily: Percinae
Rafinesque, 1815
Genus: Perca
Linnaeus, 1758
Type species
Perca fluviatilis
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

Perch is a common name for freshwater fish from the genus Perca, which belongs to the family Percidae of the large order Perciformes. The name comes from Greek: πέρκη, romanized: perke, meaning the type species of this genus, the European perch (P. fluviatilis).

Many species of freshwater game fish more or less resemble perch, but belong to different genera. In fact, the exclusively saltwater-dwelling red drum (which belong to a different order Acanthuriformes) is often referred to as a "red perch", though by definition perch are freshwater species. Though many fish are referred to as perch as a common name, to be considered a true perch, the fish must be of the family Percidae.

Species

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Most authorities recognize three species within the perch genus:

  • The European perch (P. fluviatilis) is primarily found in Europe, but a few can also be found in South Africa, and even as far east on the Southern hemisphere as Australia.[2] This species is typically greenish in color with dark vertical bars on its sides with a red or orange coloring in the tips of its fins. The European perch has been successfully introduced in New Zealand and Australia, where it is known as the redfin perch or English perch. In Australia, larger specimens have been bred, but the species rarely grows heavier than 2.7 kg (6 lb).
  • The Balkhash perch (P. schrenkii) is found in Kazakhstan, (in Lake Balkhash and Lake Alakol), Uzbekistan, and China. It has a dark gray/black color on its dorsal side, but the ventral areas of the fish are a lighter silver or even sometimes green color. The Balkhash perch also displays the vertical bars on its sides, similar to the European and yellow perches. In the latter half of the 20th century, the Balkhash perch was introduced into the basins of the Nuru and Chu rivers. The introduction of these fishes to the Nuru and Chu rivers was successful. Because of this success, the population of Balkhash perch in the Balkhash Lake is rarer now. They are similar in size to the yellow and European perches, weighing around 1.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz).[3]
  • The yellow perch (P. flavescens), smaller and paler than the European perch (but otherwise nearly identical), is found in North America. In northern areas, it is sometimes referred to as the lake perch. This species is prized for its food quality and has often been raised in hatcheries and introduced into areas in which it is not native. These fish typically only reach a size of about 38 cm (15 in) and 1 kg (2 lb 3 oz).
    Perca fluviatilis
    Perca flavescens
    Perca schrenkii

Anatomy

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European perch (Perca fluviatilis), exhibiting its green coloration and red tipped fins, as well as the vertical bars on its sides.[4]
Skull of the European Perch showing the eye sockets, connective bones, operculum, and gill slits.[5]

External anatomy

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Perch have a long and round body shape which allows for fast swimming in the water. True perch have "rough" or ctenoid scales. Perch have paired pectoral and pelvic fins, and two dorsal fins, the first one spiny and the second soft. These two fins can be separate or joined.[6] The head consists of the skull (formed from loosely connected bones), eyes, mouth, operculum, gills, and a pair of nostrils (which has no connection to the oral cavity). They have small brush-like teeth across their jaws and on the roof of their mouth. The gills are located under the operculum on both sides of the head and are used to extract oxygen molecules from water and expel carbon dioxide; the gills have gill rakers inside the mouth.[7]

External anatomy can be used to determine the sex of perch in multiple ways. Perch have two posterior openings located on their abdomen, the anal and urogenital. In males, the shape of the urogenital opening is round and larger than the anal opening. In females, the urogenital opening is often a V- or U-shape which is a similar size to the anal opening. Also, males usually have a more brown-red colored urogenital opening compared to females.[8]

Internal anatomy

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The esophagus is a flexible tube that goes from the mouth to the stomach. The stomach is connected to the intestine via the pyloric sphincter.[7] The intestines of perch consist of the small intestine and large intestine; the intestines have many pyloric caeca and a spiral value, the small intestine consists of a part called the duodenum. The spleen is located after the stomach and before the spiral value. The spleen is connected to the circulatory system, not part of the digestive tract. The liver is composed of three lobes: one small lobe (includes the gall bladder) and two large lobes. Perch have long and narrow kidneys that contain clusters of nephrons which empty into the mesonephric duct.[9] They have a two-chambered heart consisting of four compartments: the sinus venous, one atrium, one ventricle, and conus.[10] Perch have a swim bladder that helps control buoyancy or floating within the water, the swim bladder is only found in bony fish. In perch, the duct connecting the swim bladder to the pharynx is closed so air is unable to pass through from the mouth, these fish are called physoclists. Specifically in perch, the gas bladder can vary from 12% to 25% of oxygen and 1.4% to 2.9% of carbon dioxide gas.[11] Perch reproductive organs include either a pair of testes (sperm-producing) or a pair of ovaries (egg-producing).[9]

The above picture is a labeled image of the internal anatomy of the species Perch Perca flavescens. Each letter corresponds to an internal body part, A: gills, B: auricle of the heart, C: ventricle of the heart, D: liver, E: stomach, F: digestive cecum, G: swim bladder, H: intestine, I: testis, and J: urinary bladder.[12]

Habitats

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Perch are classified as carnivores, choosing waters where smaller fish, shellfish, zooplankton, and insect larvae are abundant.[13][14] The yellow perch can be found in the central parts of the United States in freshwater ponds, lakes, streams, or rivers. These fish can be found in freshwater all over the world, and are known to inhabit the Great Lake region, in particular Lake Erie. These fish inhabit bodies of water where vegetation and debris is readily accessible.[15][16][17] In the spring when the perch chooses to spawn, they use vegetation to conceal their eggs from predators.[18]

Fishing

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Perch are a popular sport fish species. They are known to put up a fight, and to be good for eating. They can be caught with a variety of methods, including float fishing, lure fishing, and legering. Fly fishing for perch using patterns that imitate small fry or invertebrates can be successful. The record weight for this fish in Britain is 2.81 kg (6 lb 3 oz), the Netherlands 3.05 kg (6 lb 11+1⁄2 oz),[19] and in America 2.83 kg (6 lb 4 oz). The biggest recorded catch in Sweden is 3.15 kg (6lb 15oz) in 1985.

Perch grow to around 50 cm (20 in) and 2.3 kg (5 lb) or more, but the most common size caught are around 30 cm (1 ft) and 450 g (1 lb) or less and anything over 40 cm (16 in) and 900 g (2 lb) is considered a prize catch.

References

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  1. ^ "Perca Linnaeus 1758 (perch)".
  2. ^ Orban, Elena; Nevigato, Teresina; Masci, Maurizio; Di Lena, Gabriella; Casini, Irene; Caproni, Roberto; Gambelli, Loretta; De Angelis, Paola; Rampacci, Massimo (2007) [December 1, 2005]. "Nutritional quality and safety of European perch (Perca fluviatilis) from three lakes of Central Italy". Food Chemistry. 100 (2): 482–490. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.09.069.
  3. ^ "Biology of Balkhash Perch (Perca schrenkii Kessler, 1874)", Biology of Perch, CRC Press, pp. 57–82, 2015-08-05, doi:10.1201/b18806-6, ISBN 9780429069468, retrieved 2022-05-10
  4. ^ Lydon, Alexander Francis (1879), Perca fluviatilis, retrieved 2022-05-10
  5. ^ Cholmondeley-Pennell, H (1863), English: Head of the European perch (Perca fluviatilis), retrieved 2022-05-10
  6. ^ Weatherley, A. H. (1963-03-01). "A Note on the Head Kidney and Kidney of the Perch Perca Fluviatilis (linnaeus), with Special Reference to the Blood Vascular System". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 140 (2): 161–167. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1963.tb01859.x. ISSN 1469-7998.
  7. ^ a b Romer, Alfred Sherwood (1977). The vertebrate body. Thomas S. Parsons (5th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-7668-5. OCLC 3003870.
  8. ^ Shepherd, Brian S.; Rees, Christopher B.; Sepulveda-Villet, Osvaldo J.; et al. (May 13, 2013). "Identification of Gender in Yellow Perch by External Morphology: Validation in Four Geographic Strains and Effects of Estradiol". North American Journal of Aquaculture. 75 (3): 361–372. doi:10.1080/15222055.2013.783520. ISSN 1522-2055.
  9. ^ a b Parker, Blair; McKenzie, Wakee (2019). Origin and Evolution of Vertebrates. EDTECH. ISBN 978-1-83947-454-5. OCLC 1132388392.
  10. ^ Randall, D. J. (1968-05-01). "Functional Morphology of the Heart in Fishes". American Zoologist. 8 (2): 179–189. doi:10.1093/icb/8.2.179. ISSN 0003-1569. PMID 5738636.
  11. ^ Chiasson, Robert; Radke, William J. (1991). Laboratory anatomy of the perch. Wm. C. Brown. OCLC 640832481.
  12. ^ Houseman, Jon (2013-05-22), English: Internal Anatomy of the Perch Perca flavescens., retrieved 2022-05-10
  13. ^ Amundsen, Per-Arne; Bøhn, Thomas; Popova, Olga A.; Staldvik, Frode J.; Reshetnikov, Yuri S.; Kashulin, Nikolay A.; Lukin, Anatoly A. (2003-05-01). "Ontogenetic niche shifts and resource partitioning in a subarctic piscivore fish guild". Hydrobiologia. 497 (1): 109–119. doi:10.1023/A:1025465705717. hdl:10037/19124. ISSN 1573-5117.
  14. ^ Höhne, Leander; Palmer, Miquel; Monk, Christopher T.; Matern, Sven; Nikolaus, Robert; Trudeau, Ashley; Arlinghaus, Robert (2020-02-07). "Environmental determinants of perch ( Perca fluviatilis ) growth in gravel pit lakes and the relative performance of simple versus complex ecological predictors". Ecology of Freshwater Fish. 29 (4): 557–573. doi:10.1111/eff.12532. hdl:10261/226087. ISSN 0906-6691.
  15. ^ Hargeby, Anders; Blom, Henrik; Blindow, Irmgard; Andersson, Gunnar (2005-09-23). "Increased growth and recruitment of piscivorous perch, Perca fluviatilis , during a transient phase of expanding submerged vegetation in a shallow lake". Freshwater Biology. 50 (12): 2053–2062. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2427.2005.01446.x. ISSN 0046-5070.
  16. ^ Diehl, Sebastian (1988). "Foraging Efficiency of Three Freshwater Fishes: Effects of Structural Complexity and Light". Oikos. 53 (2): 207–214. doi:10.2307/3566064. ISSN 0030-1299. JSTOR 3566064.
  17. ^ Persson, Lennart; Eklov, Peter (1995-01-01). "Prey Refuges Affecting Interactions Between Piscivorous Perch and Juvenile Perch and Roach". Ecology. 76 (1): 70–81. doi:10.2307/1940632. ISSN 0012-9658. JSTOR 1940632.
  18. ^ Pringle, Robert M. (2005-09-01). "The Origins of the Nile Perch in Lake Victoria". BioScience. 55 (9): 780–787. doi:10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[0780:TOOTNP]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0006-3568. S2CID 13720490.
  19. ^ "Nederlands record baars 56 cm - Bekijk de foto's, lees het vangstverslag!".
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  • Media related to Perca at Wikimedia Commons
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