Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Percidae

Percidae

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CAAB: 37329000

Family PERCIDAE

Freshwater Perches


Compiler and date details

18 April 2011 - John R. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates, Douglass F. Hoese & Matthew M. Lockett

December 2006 - John R. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates & Douglass F. Hoese

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.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
27-Nov-2012 27-Nov-2012 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)