Perch - Species

Species

Most authorities recognize three species within the perch genus:

• The European perch (Perca 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 they have bred into larger specimens, but the species rarely grows larger than about six pounds.

• The Balkhash perch (Perca 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 (Perca flavescens), smaller and paler than the European perch, is found in the United States and Canada. 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 fifteen inches and two and a quarter pounds.

Other species commonly called perch include:

• The golden perch (Macquaria ambigua), native to Australia, is usually found west of the Great Dividing Range through the Murray Darling river system. This species grows up to 22 kg (49 lb) and 60 cm (24 in).

• The silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus), native to Australia, is usually found in the Murray River, though has been recorded north in the Darling River. It is slightly larger than the golden perch.

• The spangled perch (Leiopotherapon unicolor), is found throughout Australian waters, from pure freshwater to sea water, though mostly fresh water. It is considerably smaller than the silver perch and golden perch; grows up to 500 g (18 oz) and 30 cm (12 in).

• The pikeperch, more commonly referred to as the walleye, is a larger species found in North America.

For other perch not in the Perca genus, see Perch (disambiguation).