The Life of A Perch
Perch Dissection Mitcham-PreAp Bio-2nd
Objectives
Learn from the dissection of the perch. Observe the placement of organs and their functions.
Perca
Perch is a common name for fish of the genus Perca. Perch mainly live in freshwater but some live in saltwater like the Saltwater Red Drum. Perch are carnivorous fish that are mostly found in small ponds, lakes, streams, or rivers. These fish feed on smaller fish, shellfish, or insect larvae, but can be caught with nearly any bait. They commonly spawn during the spring, when the females lay strings of eggs in covered areas such as near branches or underwater plants. Even though Perch can be found all over the world, they are most likely found in the Great Lakes, particularly in Lake Erie. Perch grow to around 5 lb or more, but the most common fish to be caught are around 1 lb.
Perch Life
Habitat
Perch live in small ponds, rivers, or lakes. Many are found in the Great Lakes.
Predators
The predators of perch include larger fish for example the Largemouth Bass
Prey
Perch are carnivorous and eat smaller fish, worms, insects and sometimes even other perch.
Perch Dissection
Gills
Pointing at the gills. It is a respiratory organ that helps the fish take in oxygen.
Swim Bladder
It helps the perch maintain buoyancy
Kidney
The kidney is being pointed at
Heart
The heart is located behind the gills
Eyes
The eyes are shown. Surprisingly, they have no eyelids.
Fins
The anal fin is being pointed at but the caudal and dorsal fins are also visible.
Want A glimpse of the Lab?~ Virtual Dissection
Circulatory System
Perch have closed loop circulatory system and the heart pumps blood in a single loop throughout the body. Blood flows through the veins and reaches the atrium(a large muscular chamber). Blood is then sent to the ventricle and from then to the aorta, through which blood flows to the gills for oxygenation.
Interesting facts about Perch
-There are over 6000 species of Perch
-The colors of the fish vary in the Breed and are named for example yellow perch or silver perch
-They have a muddy color; a camouflage
-Perch fish spawning season is between April and May
Credits
"Perch." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation
"Yellow Perch." Yellow Perch. N.p.,
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation,