PERCH, Perea, a genus of acanthopterous fishes, of the family pcmidce, to which it gives its name, and which includes many-genera and a very great number of species both of marine and fresh-water fishes. The pereicke, or perch family, have the body somewhat and more or less compressed; the scales rather large; the bones of the gill-covers toothed or otherwise armed; the mouth without barbels; the rower toothed, and gener ally also the palate; there are sometimes two dorsals, sometimes only one. To this family belong not only the true perches, all of which are fresh-water fishes, but the fates (q.v.) of the Nile, the bass (q.v.) or sea perch, and their congeners the pike perches (q.v.), the serrani, and many other fishes. The true perches (perea) have two dorsal fins, dis tinct and separate, the rays of the first spinous and those of the second flexible; the tongue is smooth; and the gill-covers are bony, notched, and sharply serrated. The CONIRON PERCR (P. fludatilis) is an inhabitant, of the lakes, ponds, and still rivers of almost all parts of Europe. It is very common in England and Ireland, and is found in many of the waters of the s. of Scotland, although in the n. it is 'rare, and is said to exist only where it has been introduced. But it is found in Scandinavia, and eveli4in
Lapland. It is of a greenish-brown color, passing into golden yellow on the tinder parts, and marked on the back with six or seven indistinct blackish cross-bands. Its height is about one-third of its length. It often attains a length of 16 or 18 in., and a weight of 2 or 3 lbs., but perches have been taken of 8 lbs. weight or more. The perch loves still waters, and is easily reared in ponds, but it is. not a desirable inmate of ponds intended for other fish, because it is very and devours their fry. It is readily caught by almost any kind of bait, and sometimes takes it small artificial fly. It is much esteemed for the table. It lives a long time out of the water if kept moist, and in some countries is thus brought to market, and carried back to the pond if not sold. The female perch deposits ber eggs iu long strings, united by a viscid matter.—A species of perch (P. Italica), found in the s. of Europe, differs from the common perch in its shorter and deeper form, and want of black bands. Several species are natives of the rivers and lakes of North America. and are among the most esteemed of its fresh-water fishes.