# Perch (*Perca fluviatilis*) The European Perch is a common freshwater fish found in lakes and rivers across Europe. It has a greenish body with dark vertical stripes and bright orange-red fins. Perch are popular with anglers and love to hunt smaller fish and insects in the water. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Freshwater Lakes & Rivers ![Perch](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424830/objects/6304.jpg) ## Appearance The Perch has a distinctive greenish-gold body, often marked with 5-9 dark vertical stripes along its sides. Its two dorsal fins, the front one spiny, and bright red or orange lower fins make it stand out among freshwater fish. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Perciformes - **Family:** Percidae - **Genus:** Perca ## Interesting facts - A Perch's feathers are waterproof, helping them stay dry in rain! - Perch babies hatch blind and featherless, needing constant care! - Some Perch can learn to mimic other bird songs or even human sounds! - Their tiny brains are super smart at finding hidden food. ## Special abilities - **Spiky Shield:** Perch can raise their sharp, spiny dorsal fins as a defense, making them a tough bite for predators. - **Striped Camo:** Perch have vertical stripes that help them blend perfectly into reedy lake beds, aiding in ambush hunting. - **Group Advantage:** Perch swim in schools which helps them find food more efficiently and confuse bigger fish trying to hunt them. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-60 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-4.8 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-22 years - **Swim Speed:** 20 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 30 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding Perch are hungry hunters, feasting on smaller fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects! - **Age differences:** Young Perch primarily eat zooplankton and insect larvae; adults shift to mainly hunting smaller fish. - **Primary Foods:** minnows, roach fry, aquatic insects, crustaceans, worms - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Northern Pike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pike) (*Esox lucius*) — Perch are a common food source for this large predator. - **Hunts:** Common Roach (*Rutilus rutilus*) — Adult Perch frequently prey on the young of these fish. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Otter](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-otter) (*Lutra lutra*) — These aquatic mammals are skilled at catching Perch. - **Eaten by:** [Osprey](https://www.snappit.app/explore/osprey) (*Pandion haliaetus*) — Ospreys dive from the sky to snatch Perch from water. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low When near birds perching, observe quietly and avoid scaring them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Perch? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Perch? 20-60 cm ### How much does Perch weigh? 0.5-4.8 kg ### How long does Perch live? 5-22 years ### What does Perch eat? Perch are hungry hunters, feasting on smaller fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects! ### How fast can Perch swim? 20 km/h ### Where is Perch usually found? Freshwater Lakes & Rivers ### How does Perch hunt? Ambush ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Perch: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/perch)