Flussbarsch, Egli im Aquarium im Zoo Zürich

European perch

Perca fluviatilis

A large female European perch can produce up to 300,000 eggs per season.

LC

Red List
Least Concern

The Euopean perch is the most commonly caught fish in Switzerland. Every year, 100 tonnes are caught by recreational anglers and 250 tonnes by commercial fishermen in Swiss waters. However, this is not enough to meet demand. Every year, around ten times as many perch end up on our plates as are caught. The demand is met through imports and farmed perch. 

As each female lays up to 300,000 eggs per season, there are enough young fish to replenish the stock, meaning that the perch population is under least concern despite the high demand. 

Taxonomy

Percidae, genus Perca (3 species)

Habitat

standing and slow-flowing waters up to 1,000 metres above sea level with stony beds, including brackish water in the Baltic Sea

Behaviour and ecology

they usually live amongst aquatic plants, and less commonly in open water; older individuals are usually solitary, whilst juveniles live in shoals

Diet

small fish, plankton, insect larvae, crustaceans

Taxonomy

Percidae, genus Perca (3 species)

Habitat

standing and slow-flowing waters up to 1,000 metres above sea level with stony beds, including brackish water in the Baltic Sea

Behaviour and ecology

they usually live amongst aquatic plants, and less commonly in open water; older individuals are usually solitary, whilst juveniles live in shoals

Diet

small fish, plankton, insect larvae, crustaceans

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