(European) Perch Perca fluviatilis

The Perch, called the European or Common Perch when needed to distinguish from other species of Perch, is native to deep lakes and slow-moving rivers of much of Europe and northern Asia.

The Perch grows typically to 35cm long but the record is 60cm. It is greenish-grey and has sharp shines on its dorsal fin, coarse skin and characteristic dark vertical stripes. The lower fins are red.

The young shoal and are mainly insectivorous. As with humans, the shape changes from juvenile to adult as its belly fills out.

The adults are more solitary and prey on smaller fish such as minnows, stickleback, roach and even smaller perch. (One above has almost swallowed a fish - the tail is still evident.)