Family PERCIDAE

Percidae

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Introduction

Members of the Percidae have a native distribution in the fresh waters of the Northern Hemisphere, above 23°N in North America and above 38°N in Europe and Asia. More than 201 species are known in 10 genera (Nelson 2006). McDowall (1980) and Merrick & Schmida (1984) described the single, introduced species found in Australia — Perca fluviatilis (redfin).

Recorded food items include crustaceans, insect larvae, worms, molluscs and other fishes. Perches have strong spines in the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins. The European or English perch (or redfin as it is known in Australia) has 13–17 spines in the first dorsal fin. Redfin were introduced into Tasmania and Victoria in the 1860s. This species can reach 50 cm and is prized as a sporting fish in Europe, but less so in Australia. Although most perches are much smaller, one species attains 90 cm in length.

The freshwater perches have not been reviewed comprehensively. Collette & Banarescu (1977) summarised the systematics and zoogeography of the family at the subgeneric level and above.

General References

Collette, B.B. & Banarescu, P. 1977. Systematics and zoogeography of the fishes of the family Percidae. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada 34(10): 1450-1463 figs 1-27

Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. 2006. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [1079]

McDowall, R.M. 1980. Family Percidae. pp. 158-159 1 fig. in McDowall, R.M. (ed.). Freshwater Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Sydney : A.H. & A.W. Reed 208 pp., figs, 32 pls.

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs.

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

Common Name References

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. [368] (Freshwater Perches)

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