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European perch

Perca fluviatilis
Perca fluviatilis (European perch)
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Distribution
Distribution map: Perca fluviatilis (European perch)




Profile status
Dossier:
D (2018-07-08)
WelfareCheck:
F (2023-12-31)
Advice:
F (2018-07-08)
Taxonomy
Order:
Actinopterygii
Class:
Perciformes
Family:
Percidae
Source:
ITIS
Ethograms
In the wild:
Dyes
Farm/lab:
Dyes
Catch/lab:
not investigated by us yet
Habitat
Temperature:
D6.1-28 °C
Photoperiod:
F1-23 h
Substrate:
Dyes
Growth
Length:
D10-34.3 cm (total length)
Weight:
D22-880 g
Maturity:
D0.3-4 years
Malformations:
Fyes
Swimming
Home range:
Finsufficient data
Depth:
DF0-24 m
Migration:
Fdepends
Activity type:
Dcrepuscular
Reproduction
Nest building:
Dno
Courtship:
Dyes
Mating type:
Dpolyandry
Brood care:
Dno
Social behaviour
Aggregation:
DFvarying
Organisation:
Dlinear hierarchy
Aggression:
DFyes
Handling
Stress | farm:
DDDDyes
Slaughter | farm:
no data found yet
Stress | catch:
not investigated by us yet
Slaughter | catch:
not investigated by us yet
Commercial concerns
Frequency | farm:
F8,000,000-12,000,000 individuals/year
Methods | farm:
FFvarying
Frequency | catch:
not investigated by us yet
Methods | catch:
not investigated by us yet

Farming remarks

Perca fluviatilis is a percid species that inhabits Eurasian inland and coastal waters and has been introduced in inland waters worldwide. The production of P. fluviatilis has emerged over the past decades while important biological processes of the species are not known yet. P. fluviatilis is a strong predator in the wild, and as such, an aggressive and cannibalistic fish in captivity – a constraint that is not properly prevented in farms yet. In fact, prey FISHES (e.g., roach, Rutilus rutilus, topmouth gudgeon, Pseudorasbora parva or other small cyprinids species) are added in monoculture systems to satiate the predatory nature of P. fluviatilis. It is also susceptible to stress and malformations in captivity. Tanks or raceways will most likely not fulfil space needs in intensive conditions. The biggest knowledge gap is on humane slaughter practices for this species. Further research is needed on both natural behaviour and physiological effects of farming practices in order to provide recommendations for improving fish welfare.

For details see: WelfareCheck | farm (latest major release: 2023-12-31)
For recommendations see: Advice | farm (latest major release: 2018-07-08)

Related news

2024-01-18: New episodes of fair-fish database podcast programme

Series 17 of the FishTalk programme about species covered in the fair-fish database is out. You will now find the condensed information in audio snippets of about 3 min for Penaeus vannamei (Whiteleg shrimp), Esox lucius (Northern pike), and Perca fluviatilis (European perch) – species we recently added to the database or whose profile we updated. Alternatively, you may find the episodes over at FishEthoGroup which is the producer of the podcast programme. Enjoy!

2024-01-03: Update: Perca fluviatilis

We gave the profile of Perca fluviatilis, the European perch, a major update since its initial release in 2016. Not just did the scores change in almost all of the 10 criteria; with potentially good welfare in migration, reproduction, aggregation, and substrate, it is now among the top 5 species covered in the fair-fish database. The question remains whether meeting 4 of 10 criteria is enough to justify keeping Perca fluviatilis in captivity. Find out which criteria are critical, in the WelfareCheck | farm.

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