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5 Types of Perch – What’s the Difference?

A perch is a type of freshwater fish that belongs to the family Percidae. They are found in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia. Perch are known for their spiny dorsal fin and their two separate dorsal fins. They typically have a rounded body shape and can range in size from just a few inches to several feet in length.

Perch are carnivorous and feed on a variety of small aquatic animals, including insects, crayfish, and other fish. They are often found in shallow water near the shore, where they feed and spawn.

Perch are popular among anglers due to their abundance and delicious taste. They are often caught using small lures or baited hooks, and can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, baking, or frying.

Different Types of Perch

1. Yellow Perch

Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) is a freshwater fish species native to North America, ranging from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Because of its exquisite taste and availability in many bodies of water, it is a popular game fish and is greatly sought after by anglers.

Yellow Perch have black vertical stripes on their sides and are often olive-green to golden-yellow in appearance. They are spherical and deep-bodied, with a spiny dorsal fin. They can grow to be up to 15 inches long, but are usually captured around 8-12 inches.

Also Read: Crappie vs Perch

Yellow Perch inhabit a wide range of freshwater settings, including lakes, ponds, and rivers. They are most commonly found in shallow waters, close to the beach, or in places with submerged vegetation. Perch eat aquatic creatures including as insects, crabs, and tiny fish.

Yellow perch are a valuable species in both leisure and commercial fisheries. Little jigs or live bait such as worms or minnows are usually used to catch them.

They are frequently filleted and prepared in a variety of ways, such as pan-frying, baking, or grilling.

2. European Perch

The European Perch (Perca fluviatilis) is a freshwater fish found in Europe and portions of Asia. Because of its size and sporting demeanor, it is a popular game fish and is much sought after by anglers.

The European Perch has an elongated, cylindrical body form with greenish-grey to brownish colouring and dark vertical stripes on its flanks. They have a spiny dorsal fin and can grow to be 60cm (24 inches) long, though they are commonly collected at sizes ranging from 20 to 30cm (8-12 inches).

European perch inhabit a wide range of freshwater habitats, including lakes, ponds, and rivers. They are most commonly seen in shallow waters near the beach or in regions where there is submerged vegetation. They eat aquatic creatures including as insects, crabs, and tiny fish.

Also Read: Best Perch Baits

European perch are a valuable species for both recreational and commercial fishing. Little jigs, spinners, or live bait like worms or minnows are usually used to catch them.

3. Balkhash Perch

The Balkhash Perch (Perca schrenkii) is a freshwater fish species found in Kazakhstan and China’s Balkhash Lake. Schrenk’s Perch and Balkhash Marinka are other names for it.

The Balkhash Perch has a deep-bodied shape and a golden-brown tint with a white belly. They feature a spiny dorsal fin and dark vertical stripes on their sides. They can grow to be 50 cm (20 inches) long and 3 kg in weight (6.6 lbs).

Balkhash Perch can be found in Balkhash Lake’s huge, deep, and clean waters. They are usually found in open water or in rocky regions, where they graze on small fish and crustaceans.

In the Balkhash Lake region, the Balkhash Perch is an important commercial and recreational fisheries species. Little jigs or baited hooks are usually used to catch it, and it is frequently served by grilling or baking.

Unfortunately, due to over-fishing and habitat degradation, the number of Balkhash Perch has plummeted in recent years, prompting conservation efforts to conserve and restore their populations.

4. White Perch

White perch (Morone americana) is a freshwater and saltwater fish found throughout North America’s Atlantic coast, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to South Carolina. The Silver Perch, White Nanny, and Gray Perch are other names for it.

White Perch have a deep body shape and are silver or white in color with dark vertical stripes on their flanks. They have two distinct dorsal fins with spiky and soft-rayed segments. They can reach 30 cm (12 in) in length and weigh up to 1 kilogram (2.2 lbs).

White perch inhabit a wide range of freshwater and estuarine habitats, including rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal bays. They often live in groups and feed on a range of small fish, crabs, and insects.

In the Atlantic coast, white perch is an important commercial and recreational fisheries species. It is typically caught with small jigs, spinners, or baited hooks and is frequently grilled or baked.

Yet, because of their aggressive eating behavior and competition with local fish species, the introduction of White Perch into non-native settings has produced ecological and economic difficulties.

5. Silver Perch

The silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) is an Australian freshwater fish. It is a common aquaculture species as well as a sport fisherman’s catch in many rivers and lakes.

Silver Perch have a deep-bodied shape and are silver or grey in color, with dark vertical stripes on their flanks. They have a big, spiny dorsal fin and can grow to be 45 cm (18 inches) long, though they are usually caught when they are 20-30 cm long (8-12 inches).

Silver perch inhabit a wide range of freshwater habitats, including rivers, lakes, and ponds. They like slow-moving or motionless water, near the bottom, or in places with submerged plants. They eat aquatic creatures including as insects, crabs, and tiny fish.

In Australia, silver perch is an important commercial and leisure fisheries species. They are commonly caught with baited hooks or small lures and are frequently grilled or fried.

They are primarily raised in ponds in aquaculture and are frequently given commercial fish feed. They are regarded as a prized species due to their rapid growth, resilience, and exquisite flavor.