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Creole perch (Percichthys trucha) — Percichthyidae

Creole perch

Percichthys trucha
LC · Least Concern

The Creole perch (Percichthys trucha) is a freshwater fish of the family Percichthyidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern South America
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Creole perch is a freshwater perch from southern South America, in Chile and Argentina (Patagonia). The species grows to about 40 cm and has a stocky, olive-brown body with a large mouth. As a predator it lives in cool lakes and rivers and hunts small fish, crustaceans and insects. It is a popular sport and food fish in the region. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Creole perch?

The Creole perch has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Stocky olive-brown body with a big mouth; cool-water predatory bass

Where does the Creole perch live?

The Creole perch lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southern South America

How big does the Creole perch get?

The Creole perch grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Creole perch dangerous to humans?

No, the Creole perch is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Creole perch edible?

Yes, the Creole perch is commonly eaten.

More photos

Creole perch (Percichthys trucha) — Percichthyidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Pablo Reyes Lobao-Tello (CC BY 3.0)
Creole perch (Percichthys trucha) — Percichthyidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Agus, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Creole perch (Percichthys trucha) — Percichthyidae — 4
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Creole perch (Percichthys trucha) — Percichthyidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Internet Archive Book Images (No restrictions)
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All data

Identification

English name
Creole perch verified
Scientific name
Percichthys trucha
Family
Percichthyidae
Other names
Creole perch; Smallmouth perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Southern South America verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and insects inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Cool-water predatory perch; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Stocky olive-brown body with a big mouth; cool-water predatory bass sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Percichthyidae

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