Perches (Perciformes)
General data
- Main name: Perches
Classification
- Class: Actinopteri - Ray-finned fishes
- Superclass: Osteichthyes - Bony fishes
Perches (Perciformes) are the largest order of vertebrates and the most diverse group of fishes in the world. Their name means “perch-like”, although the order includes thousands of species that differ greatly in size, shape, and habitat.
Perciformes occur in both marine and freshwater environments on all continents except Antarctica. They inhabit coral reefs, open oceans, rivers, and lakes, and include many of the most familiar and economically important fish.
Typical characteristics include spiny and soft rays in the dorsal fins, pelvic fins usually positioned under the pectoral fins, and rough (ctenoid) scales in many species. However, body forms vary widely — from small reef fishes to large predators.
This order includes well-known fishes such as perches, basses, groupers, tunas, mackerels, cichlids, gobies, and many others.
Perciform fishes play a major ecological role in aquatic food webs and are extremely important for commercial fishing, sport fishing, and aquaculture.