Perch Dissection Lab
Perch Dissection Lab Vu- PAP Bio- 2
Perch
Perca are the scientific name for Perch. Perch are carnivorous fish often found in lakes, ponds, rivers, or streams. They feed on smaller fish or insect larvae. There are 3 different species of perch all coming from different geographical locations. Even though perch are found all over the world, the central population is located in the Great Lakes.
Perch Objectives
Students will learn about a Perch's body parts, digestive system, circulatory system, and other background info. They will all learn these things from research and a dissection.
Perch Life Cycle
Perch spawn during spring when water
temperatures are between 45 and 50 degrees. This happens in March or April. The female lays the eggs in a long jelly-like string. This jelly coating helps protect the eggs from predators and infections. The eggs which survive take 20 to 25 days to hatch. When born, the baby perch are not very good swimmers and migrate to weeds for protection. Perch parents do not guard the young fish and they let the young become self reliant. The baby perch will be about 3 inches long by the end of their first summer.
Perch Habitat
Most perch species can live in any kind of habitat. As long as it is not too extreme. Perch are best suited in a habitat with clear water, plenty of vegetation, and lots of mud or sand. As long as there are places to spawn and prey to eat, perch can pretty much survive anywhere.
Perch Predators and Prey
The main predator of perch include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and channel catfish. However, perch eat worms, newts, beetles, and other small fish.
Hunting
To hunt, perch usually hang out towards the bottom where they have plants and sand to hide in. They strike when given an opportunity and once they catch something they immediately leave the scene.
The central perch location is in the Great Lakes. Here perch are very abundant and provide for the ecosystem and food web.
Adaptation
Over time the Perch developed a sharp dorsal fin and sharp teeth. The fin is for protection and the teeth are for hunting.
Evolutionary Relationships of Perch
Perch Digestive System
When a perch consumes something, food first goes through the mouth and passes the esophagus and goes into the stomach. From there it goes into the intestine. With the help of bile produced by the liver, digestion is easier on the fish. Solid materials leave the fish through the anus.