Perch — facts for kids
Perca fluviatilis
The perch is Sweden's most common fish. Its striped sides make it almost disappear among reeds and branches under water. It hunts best at dusk, when the small fish cannot see it coming.
Field notes
How big?
About as long as a pencil, sometimes bigger
How heavy?
Like a couple of apples
What does it eat?
Insects, small crustaceans and little fish
When can you see it?
At dusk, close to the reeds
How big is it?
Perch is often 20–30 cm long.
Look for this
Rings spreading across the surface, and small splashes near the reeds. Sometimes you see the shoal as shadows in the shallow water.
How it sounds
Almost silent. What you hear is the splash when it snaps at something near the surface.
Fun to know
- The perch has spines on its back fin — that is why few animals eat it.
- Its stripes are camouflage among reeds and branches.
- Young perch swim in big shoals to stay safer.
Questions kids ask about the perch
Hur stor är du?
Ungefär som en penna, men jag kan bli mycket större om jag får leva länge.
Vad äter du?
Insekter, små kräftdjur och småfisk. Jag jagar helst i skymningen.
Varför är du randig?
Ränderna är mitt kamouflage. Bland vass och grenar syns jag nästan inte.
Hur ser du under vattnet?
Vi abborrar ser väldigt bra under vattnet — det gör oss till skickliga jägare även när vattnet är lite grumligt.
Try it right here
Meet the perch for real
Around Lake Sidsjön in Sundsvall, Sweden, the animals stand in their real places. Come within ten metres and the perch comes alive in the phone and answers children's questions. The trail is in Swedish.