Questions and Answers
Perch belong to what class of fish?
Osteichthyes
Are perch ray-finned or lobe-finned fish? Explain.
Ray-finned, because the fins consist of a combination of stiff and soft spines of cartilage connected by thin membranes.
Give the function for the swim bladder.
The swim bladder serves as buoyancy control, allowing movement up, down or being stationary in midwater.
What is the scientific name for the yellow perch?
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Since the perch lays so many eggs, why is there not a population explosion at mating season?
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Name the organs that belong to the digestive system of the perch.
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How many chambers of the heart does the perch have and how does this affect blood circulation?
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What is the purpose of the lateral line in fish?
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How does the shape of the perch help it to maneuver in the water?
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What is the function of dorsal fins?
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What is the function of pectoral fins?
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What are the functions of pelvic fins?
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What is the function of anal fins?
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What is the habitat of perch?
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Describe the appearance of perch.
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What is the spawning behavior of perch?
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Study Notes
Class and Anatomy
- Perch belong to the class Osteichthyes, also known as bony fish.
- They are classified as ray-finned fish, characterized by fins made of stiff and soft spines of cartilage covered by thin membranes.
Buoyancy and Adaptations
- The swim bladder of the perch aids in buoyancy control, allowing for vertical movement in water and stabilization in midwater.
Species Identification
- The scientific name for yellow perch is Perca flavescens.
Reproduction and Population Control
- Despite laying thousands of eggs, population control occurs because many eggs go unfertilized or are consumed by predators, including other fish.
Digestive System Organs
- Main organs in the perch's digestive system include: mouth (with teeth and tongue), esophagus, pyloric cecum, stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, intestine, and anus.
Circulatory System
- Perch have a single loop circulatory system with one atrium and one ventricle, directing blood first to the gills for oxygenation and then throughout the body.
Sensory System
- The lateral line system detects nearby movement in water, allowing perch to sense other animals in their environment.
Body Shape and Maneuverability
- Perch have a streamlined, dorsolaterally flattened body, reducing drag and enhancing maneuverability in tight spaces.
Fins and Their Functions
- Dorsal fins: two fins for stabilization and defense.
- Pectoral fins: two fins for stabilization and directional forward movement.
- Pelvic fins: two fins that act primarily as stabilizers.
- Anal fin: a single fin that provides stabilization and defense.
Habitat Preferences
- Yellow perch are carnivorous and typically inhabit small ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers, favoring shallow waters at temperatures of 17 to 25 °C (63 to 77 °F).
Physical Appearance
- Characterized by a yellow and brass-colored body adorned with distinct olive-green, triangular vertical bars (five to nine in number). Their fins are lighter with orange margins, and they feature a laterally compressed body.
Spawning Behavior
- During spawning, adult perch migrate to shallow, weedy areas. Females release their eggs in an accordion-like strand over vegetation, with males fertilizing them. A single female can lay between 10,000 and 200,000 eggs.
- Eggs hatch in about two weeks, and the young migrate to open water until reaching approximately 25 mm (1 inch), then shifting to weedy coastal areas.
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Description
Test your knowledge of perch fish with these flashcards focusing on their classification and anatomy. Learn about the class Osteichthyes, ray-finned characteristics, and the function of the swim bladder. Perfect for pre-lab preparation in fish biology courses.