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A perch is an old unit of length equal to 5.5 yards, also called a rod or a pole.
A perch is also a branch or other stick which a bird stands on. See perching bird.
A perch is a freshwater bony fish belonging to the family Percidae. Perch, of which there are
three species, lend their name to the largest order of vertebrates: the
Perciformes, from the Greek perke meaning perch, and the Latin forma
meaning shape. All perciform fish share the perch's general morphology.
The European perch (Perca fluviatilis) is found in Europe
and northern Asia. It is 15-60 cm long, and may weigh up to 10,4 kg. It is usually dark
green with red fins. It has been successfully introduced in New Zealand and
Australia where it is called redfin perch.
The Balkhash perch (Perca schrenkii) is found in Kazakhstan; in Lake Balkhash and Lake Alakol. It is very similar to the
European perch, and grows to a comparable size.
In the US and Canada there
is the smaller (10-25 cm long, 1.4-4.5 kg in weight) and wider-mouthed species, the yellow perch (Perca
flavescens). It is paler and yellowish and its fins are not as red; although recognized as a distinct species[1] , the
yellow perch may be a subspecies of the European perch (in which case its
binomial name would be Perca fluviatilis flavescens). This view is supported by successful cross-breeding of the two
species, which has generated faster growing offspring[2] . However, it is unclear whether or not
these hybrids are viable.
Perch have ctenoid scales.
When looking through a microscope, the scale look like a plate with growth
rings and spikes on the top edges. Externally the anatomy of perch is simple enough. On the dorsal side of the fish, there
consists a upper maxilla and lower mandible for the mouth. A pair of nostrils. Two lidless eyes. On the posterior sides are the operculum, which are used to protect the gills. Also their is the lateral line system which is sensitive to vibrations in the water. They have a pair of
pectoral and pelvic fins. On the anterior end of the fish, there are two dorsal fins. The first one is spiny and the second is
soft. There is also a caudal fin and anal fin. Also there is a cloacal opening right behind the anal fin.
The perch spawns at the end of April or beginning of May, depositing it upon weeds, or the branches of trees or shrubs that
have become immersed in the water; it does not come into condition again until July.
The best time for fishing for perch is from September to February; it haunts the
neighborhood of heavy deep eddies, camp sheathings, beds of weeds, with sharp streams near, and trees or bushes growing in or
overhanging the water. The baits for perch are, minnows, red, marsh, brandling or
lob worms and shrimps. The tackle should be fine but strong, as with a fish bait a trout or pike may frequently be hooked. Perch, unlike fish of prey, are gregarious, and in the winter months, when
the frosts and floods have destroyed and carried away the beds of weeds, congregate together in the pools and eddies, and are
then to be angled for with greatest success from 10 to 4 o'clock, at the edge of the streams forming such eddies.
References
- Gilberson, Lance,
Zoology Lab Manual 4th edition. Primis Custom Publishing. 1999.
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