Fish of the Year - European perch

Perca fluviatilis

European perch live almost everywhere in Estonia where there is habitable water. They are the first catch for many fishermen.

There are two types of perch: the coastal perch and the deep-sea perch. The main diet of the coastal perch consists of zooplankton and insect larvae. Their growth is slower. There are more fish in the deep-sea perch’s diet, so it grows bigger and faster.

Waterfowl also help spread them by taking their eggs from one body of water to other lakes and ponds.

Perch are settled fish – flocking when young – whose larger members tend to keep to themselves.