perch

1 support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)

2 a linear measure of 16.5 feet [syn: rod, pole]

3 a square rod of land [syn: rod, pole]

4 an elevated place serving as a seat

5 any of numerous fishes of America and Europe

6 spiny-finned freshwater food and game fishes

7 any of numerous spiny-finned fishes of various families of the order Perciformes

1 sit, as on a branch; "The birds perched high in the treee" [syn: roost, rest]

2 to come to rest, settle; "Misfortune lighted upon him" [syn: alight, light]

3 cause to perch or sit; "She perched her hat on her head"

English

Etymology 1

French perche, Latin perca, Greek πέρκη, cognate with περκνός, "dark-spotted".

rfc-level check placement of Pronunciation

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)tʃ

Noun

1. A freshwater bony fish of the family Percidae, or similar fish such as the grouper.

Synonyms

• bass

Translations

• Bosnian: grgeč
• Czech: okoun
• Dutch: baars
• Finnish: ahven
• French: perche
• German: Barsch
• Hungarian: sügér
• Italian: pesce persico
• Latin: perca
• Lithuanian: ešerys
• Polish: okoń
• Russian: окунь /ókun'/
• Slovene: ostriž
• Spanish: perca , percha
• Swedish: abborre

Etymology 2

French perche, Latin pertica, "staff", "long pole", "measuring rod".

Noun

1. a rod, staff, or branch of a tree etc used as a roost by a bird
2. a position that is secure and advantageous, especially one which is prominent or elevated
3. a linear measure of 5.5 yards, equal to a rod, a pole, ¼ chain or 5½ yards; the related square measure
4. a cubic measure of stonework equal to 16.6 x 1.5 x 1 feet
5. a frame used to examine cloth

Translations

Verb

1. To rest on a perch; to roost.
2. To stay in an elevated position.
3. To place something on (or as if on) a perch.

Translations

• Finnish: istua, kyyhöttää

Perca is the genus of fish referred to as perch or, sometimes, yellow perch, a group of freshwater fish belonging to the family Percidae. Perch, of which there are three species in different geographical areas, lend their name to a large order of vertebrates: the Perciformes, from the Greek perke meaning perch, and the Latin forma meaning shape.

Perch have "rough" or ctenoid scales. On the anterior side of the head are the maxilla and lower mandible for the mouth, a pair of nostrils, and two lidless eyes. On the posterior sides are the opercula, which are used to protect the gills. Also there is the lateral line system which is sensitive to vibrations in the water. They have a pair of pectoral and pelvic fins. On the anterior end of the fish, there are two dorsal fins. The first one is spiny and the second is soft. There is also an anal fin, which is also considered spiny, and a caudal fin. Also there is a cloacal opening right behind the anal fin. All perciform fish share the perch's general morphology.'''

The type species for this genus is the European perch.

Angling

Perch are a popular coarse fish and are also considered to be good for eating. They can be caught with a variety of methods, but the two best methods are perhaps float fishing and lure fishing. Spinners work exceptionally well. When Float Fishing, the angler will want to have a disgorger at all times; Perch are notorious for swallowing the hook, and will need aid of a disgorger or forceps for unhooking. In many parts of the world they are also a favorite species among ice fishermen. They will take a variety of baits, including minnows, worms, maggots,bread and softshell crayfish.

Perch grow to around or more, but the most common fish to be caught are around or less, and anything over is considered a prize catch.

Species

Most authorities recognize three species of perch:

• The European perch (Perca fluviatilis) is found in Europe and Asia. It is usually dark green with red fins. The European perch has been successfully introduced in New Zealand and Australia where it is known as the redfin perch or English perch.

• The Balkhash perch (Perca schrenkii) is found in Kazakhstan, (in Lake Balkhash and Lake Alakol), Uzbekistan, and China. It is very similar to the European perch, and grows to a comparable size.

• The Yellow perch (Perca flavescens), smaller and paler than the European perch, is found in the United States and Canada.

For other perch not in the Perca genus, see Perch (disambiguation).

References

• Gilberson, Lance, Zooslogy Lab Manual 4th edition. Primis Custom Publishing. 1999.

perch

abide, abut on, alight, anchor, aviary, be based on, be seated, bear on, berth, bestraddle, bestride, billet at, bird cage, birdhouse, bivouac, bunk, burrow, camp, climb down, cohabit, colonize, columbary, come to anchor, dismount, domesticate, domicile, domiciliate, doss down, dovecote, drop anchor, dwell, ensconce, establish residence, foothold, footing, footplate, footrail, footrest, get down, get off, hang out, hive, hold, inhabit, keep house, land, lean on, lie on, light, live, live at, locate, location, locus standi, lodge, moor, move, nest, occupy, park, people, perspective, pigeon house, pigeon loft, place, populate, position, purchase, put, relocate, rely on, remain, remain seated, repose on, reside, rest, rest on, ride, room, roost, roosting place, seat, set, set down, set up housekeeping, set up shop, settle, settle down, sit, sit down, sit on, site, situate, spot, squat, stance, stand, stand on, standing, standing place, stay, stay at, straddle, stride, strike root, take residence at, take root, take up residence, tenant, toehold, touch down, unhorse, vantage point