This was our first vertebrae dissection. It was very interesting to look at the perch's scales and how they protected the fish. There were a few problems trying to cut open the fish because of how touch it was to get rid of all of the scales and carefully avoid the organs. We also discovered how messy the eggs could become if you opened the egg sack.
Ecology
Zooplankton is the main food source of young Perch, and then they feed on insects in adulthood. Some can be cannibalistic. Their habitats are around structures or in grasses near the shore. They are a very important food source for many birds. They are inactive at night. They are found in schools which break up at dusk and reform at dawn. They are very poor swimmers, even though they live in water. They are effective at escaping predators in the summer due to thermal tolerance.
Ecology
Zooplankton is the main food source of young Perch, and then they feed on insects in adulthood. Some can be cannibalistic. Their habitats are around structures or in grasses near the shore. They are a very important food source for many birds. They are inactive at night. They are found in schools which break up at dusk and reform at dawn. They are very poor swimmers, even though they live in water. They are effective at escaping predators in the summer due to thermal tolerance.