European Perch

Overview

Everything you need to know about European Perch, at a glance:

• Common Names: -
• Scientific Name: Perca fluviatilis
• Max Size: ~30cm
• Temperature Range: 10-20°C
• pH Range: 6.5-8.0
• Compatibility: Peaceful with larger species, but predatory towards smaller species
• Area Of Origin: Europe
• Suitable Foods: Variety of high-protein freeze-dried foods and live foods, as well as high quality pellets
• Special Requirements: Require a lot of swimming room, do best in deep ponds

What is a European Perch?

European Perch, or Perca fluviatilis, are the type species of a big family of predatory, freshwater fish native to waterways across Europe. They have long, round bodies and large, spiny fins that allow for fast swimming underwater. They’re best known, though, for their tiger-like stripes and vibrant green and red colours.

European Perch are carnivorous, living on a diet of smaller fish, shellfish, and insects in the wild. They’re most commonly found in deep lakes, but they also inhabit rivers and streams with lots of vegetation. Their presence in these waterways makes them a popular prize amongst anglers.

Most European Perch max out at 30cm in length, though some individuals have been known to exceed 40cm. If given the proper care, they can also live for up to 20 years. They’re best suited to deep garden ponds, though a few avid fishkeepers do keep them in large, indoor aquariums while they’re juveniles.

How do I care for European Perch?

While they may be smaller than many other types of pond fish, European Perch aren’t suitable for first-time pond keepers. They require a lot of specialist care and a specially tailored environment to really thrive. For that reason, they’re best suited for intermediate to seasoned pond keepers.

An important thing to consider when keeping European Perch is the depth of your pond. Like other species of Perch, European Perch typically stick to deep water where they can hide from predators swimming in open water. To provide them with a comfortable environment, make sure there are areas of your pond that are at least 5-6ft deep.

European Perch also prefer calm/slow-moving water, so it’s a good idea to invest in a pond pump with an adjustable flow rate that you can change to suit the inhabitants of your pond. It’s also a good idea to plant lots of pond plants in the base of your pond, to give your European Perch even more places to hide.

Unlike other pond fish, like Goldfish, European Perch are very sensitive to poor water quality and changing water parameters. They can live in a range of different parameters, though these need to be kept stable if your European Perch are to live long and healthy lives. To maintain optimum water quality, you’ll need a quality pond filter partnered with a suitable pond pump.

As mentioned above, European Perch are carnivorous fish. This means that they need to be fed a diet high in protein. The best way to make sure that they get enough protein in their diets is with a specialist carnivore pellet, though you can also offer them a variety of freeze-dried foods and live foods. They’ll also constantly scour the base of your pond for insects and other aquatic critters to eat.

How is this European Perch delivered?

All of our aquatic animals are dispatched from our livestock distributor and delivered directly to your doorstep. Our distributor dispatches and delivers livestock packages Tuesday through Friday to avoid animals being in transit over the weekend. To further minimise time spent travelling, all livestock deliveries are made before 1pm on the day of delivery.

After placing your livestock order, you’ll receive all the information needed to track your livestock order via email. If you have any problems regarding delivery, or concerns about the health/wellbeing of your animal(s) upon arrival, please contact us, Swell UK Ltd, immediately, or at least within 48 hours of receiving your livestock order.

Any other, non-livestock items that you purchase alongside livestock will be sent via standard or express delivery and arrive at your delivery address in a different package. This means that, depending on when you place your order, you may receive your non-livestock items before or after your livestock package.

For a detailed breakdown of when you can expect to receive your livestock package depending on the day you placed your order, be sure to check the delivery details in the specifications below.

How do you acclimate a European Perch to a pond?

It’s very important that you acclimatise new fish to your pond. This is the process of gradually adjusting an animal to its new environment and it’s especially important in an aquatic setting where sudden changes in water temperature, pH, and nitrates can cause stress, illness and, in some cases, even death.

To acclimatise your European Perch, add it to a large, dimly lit container and add a small amount of pond water every few minutes. Do this until water temperatures in this container match water temperatures in your pond, and for at least 20 minutes. If you don’t have a large container to hand, you can float the bag containing your fish in your pond instead.

You should always set up your pond and make sure it’s ready for fish prior to purchasing any. It’s also a good idea to let your pond filter mature for a few months before adding European Perch.

Above photos are for illustration purposes only; livestock received may not exactly match those photographed.