True perch are spiny-rayed fish which have one or more sharp spines on their fins. While they are quite variable in appearance, they all are slender in body shape, have two dorsal (back) fins, and one anal fin. True perch can be separated into two groups: larger perches and smaller perches.
What are the characteristics of a perch?
Perch are small- to medium-sized, carnivorous, bottom-dwelling, freshwater fishes usually with long, rounded, laterally compressed bodies and 2 dorsal fins. The swim bladder is usually reduced or absent; eyes are conspicuous; dorsal, anal and pelvic fins are spined.
Does perch have scales and fins?
External anatomy. Perch have a long and round body shape which allows for fast swimming in the water. True perch have “rough” or ctenoid scales. Perch have paired pectoral and pelvic fins, and two dorsal fins, the first one spiny and the second soft.
What type of animal is a perch?
fish
perch, either of two species of fish, the common and the yellow perch (Perca fluviatilis and P. flavescens, sometimes considered as single species, P. fluviatilis) of the family Percidae (order Perciformes). The name also is widely, and sometimes confusingly, applied to a variety of other fishes.
What is the habitat of a perch?
Yellow perch are found in ponds, lakes, and slow ? owing rivers, most commonly found in clear water near vegetation.
How fast can a perch swim?
Yellow perch do not accelerate quickly and are relatively poor swimmers. The fastest recorded speed for a school was 54 cm/s (12.08 mph), with individual fish swimming at less than half that speed.
Are perch poisonous?
The spikes are not venomous but they can prick the skin if the perch is not handled carefully.
How does a perch protect itself?
Their anal fin features two long and slender spines. When the yellow perch is threatened, it will raise its spiny fins to inflict injury on the predator and protect itself.
How does a perch protect itself?
Their anal fin features two long and slender spines. When the yellow perch is threatened, it will raise its spiny fins to inflict injury on the predator and protect itself.
What is a bird perch?
Bird perches are resting places for predatory birds to rest and to look for preys; such as insect pests of cotton, peanuts, and cowpeas. Predatory birds prefer to look for prey in field crops where they have places to rest. To make bird perches, use bamboo or wooden poles or tree branches.
What type of scales does a perch have?
Ctenoid scales are scales with comb-like edge found in higher order teleost fishes, such as perch and sunfish. Cteni are the tiny teeth on the posterior margin of the scale. Similar to cycloid scales, they are overlapping which allows for greater flexibility in movement than other types of scales such as ganoid scales.
What are the different types of perch?
PerchLower classifications