The scientific name of the European perch is Perca fluviatilis.
This perch is native across much of Europe and parts of northern Asia. It is a predatory fish recognized by its greenish body, dark vertical bars, reddish pelvic and anal fins, and two dorsal fins. The species was formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
European perch live in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and brackish coastal waters. Young fish often feed on invertebrates, while larger adults may eat smaller fish. They are important both as sport fish and as prey for larger aquatic predators.
European perch are sometimes confused with the yellow perch, Perca flavescens, a closely related North American species. The two names are not interchangeable: Perca fluviatilis is the European species, while Perca flavescens is native to North America.