European Perch
ExploreFish
European Perch
Perca fluviatilis
The European Perch is a colorful fish that has striking green and yellow stripes. It's a popular catch for fishermen!
Habitat: Lakes and rivers
Appearance
The European Perch has a distinctive green body with 5-9 dark vertical stripes and bright red-orange pelvic and anal fins. Its two dorsal fins, the first spiny and the second soft, help differentiate it from other freshwater fish.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopteriOrderPerciformesFamilyPercidaeGenusPerca
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Perch eggs are laid in long, jelly-like ribbons wrapped around underwater plants!
The oldest recorded European Perch lived for an amazing 23 years!
Their eyes glow yellow or green in the dark, helping them see at dusk.
They sometimes form hunting 'pyramids' to catch smaller fish together.
Special abilities
Ability
Striped Camouflage
European Perch has dark vertical stripes that help them blend perfectly with reeds and shadows in the water.
Ability
Spiny Defense
European Perch can raise its sharp, spiny dorsal fin to deter predators from trying to eat them.
Ability
Adaptable Survivor
European Perch can live in many types of water, from slow rivers to big lakes, adapting its behavior.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 15-50 cm
- Weight
- 0.1-3 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-15 years
- Swim Speed
- 10 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 30 m
- Water Type
- Freshwater
Diet & Feeding
Perch are hungry hunters, eating smaller creatures and even other fish!
Age differences: Young perch mostly eat invertebrates, while adults primarily hunt other fish.
Primary Foods
- insect larvae
- crustaceans
- small fish
- fish eggs
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
eaten by
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Pike are major predators of Perch in shared habitats.
eaten by
Zander
Sander lucioperca
Larger Zander will prey on Perch in many European waters.
eaten by
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Ospreys catch Perch from the surface as a food source.
hunts
Roach
Rutilus rutilus
Adult Perch frequently prey on young Roach and their fry.
eats
Water Flea
Daphnia pulex
Juvenile Perch feed heavily on small zooplankton like water fleas.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Perca
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is European Perch?
15-50 cm
How much does European Perch weigh?
0.1-3 kg
How long does European Perch live?
5-15 years
What does European Perch eat?
Perch are hungry hunters, eating smaller creatures and even other fish!
How fast can European Perch swim?
10 km/h
Where is European Perch usually found?
Lakes and rivers
How does European Perch hunt?
Ambush
How deep can European Perch go?
30 m
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