Perch

Distribution: Eurasia, except Spain, Italy and Greece.

Average size length: 25 cm

Weight: Up to 4.75 kg

Lifespan: Up to 22 years

Diet: Carnivore

Social life: Solitary

IUCN red list status: Least Concern



Perch is a greenish fish with dark vertical stripes, bright red tail and red pelvic fins. They still have two dorsal fins, clearly separated from each other. All of these characteristics make perch a distinctive fish, so it isn’t easy to mix them with other species.

This is a fish that normally lives among other species of fish in the top 50 meters of water. Spawning happens in April and females lay the eggs forming long white ribbons which adhere to vegetation and rocks. After that, males start to fertilize the eggs.

After hatching, young fish start to swim and feed on planktonic invertebrates. As juveniles and adults they move near the shore to feed on benthic preys or even smaller fish.

Apart from pollution there are no major threats known to this species. In some parts of its range, perch is an important commercial fish and in the UK it is used as a sport fish.