rules the warm weedy south island lakes
- Size
- Length: 20–40 cm, Weight: 0.5–2 kg
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
- Diet
- Small fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans. Lives in slow-moving rivers, lakes and farm ponds. A still water resident, preferring warm, weedy backwaters where competition is low.
- Habitat
- Slow-moving rivers, lakes and farm ponds. The fish of the quiet backwaters, where the water is warm, the weeds are thick and the competition is low.
- Range
- South Island, particularly in Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Most common in lowland lakes and slow-moving rivers with warm, weedy conditions.
- Endemism
- Introduced
- Main Threats
- None. This introduced species is considered a pest in some areas. Controlled by Fish & Game New Zealand in some waters to protect trout fisheries.
- Population
- Introduced and widespread. Established populations in many lowland lakes and rivers throughout the South Island. Considered a pest in some areas, where they compete with native fish for food and habitat.
- Conservation Status
- Introduced
- Human Risk
- caution
- Handling Note
- introduced sport fish, sharp dorsal spines cause puncture wounds
- Conservation Note
- Introduced freshwater fish; widely established in lakes and rivers throughout New Zealand.
- Assessment
- NZTCS Freshwater Fishes (2023)
- Te Ao Māori
- The Perch has no Māori name because it is not a native fish. European settlers introduced it in the 1800s. It spread quickly through the lowland waterways. Today it is the fish of the farm pond. It is the one you catch when you are a kid. You pull them out one after another. You fill a bucket. You take them home to show your dad. Its presence signals human modification of the landscape. Mana whenua observe these introduced species with caution. They compete with native fauna for resources.
The spiky fighter of the still water. It is a fish that did not ask to be here. The perch has a deep humped back and a large mouth. Its body is striking greenish-gold with dark vertical bars. This looks like a prison uniform for fish. Fins are tipped with vivid orange-red. Gill covers are armed with sharp bony spines. These will draw blood if you are not careful. A fish that looks like it belongs in a lineup.
Ambush predators with a serious attitude. Perch hide in weeds. They wait for small fish, insects or anything else that moves. When they strike, they hit hard and fast. They often swallow bait before there is a chance to set the hook. They are schooling fish. If one is caught, there are probably a dozen more hiding in the same patch of weeds. A fish that travels in gangs.
It is a love-them-or-hate-them fish for Kiwi anglers. Some think they are a pest. They steal bait and compete with trout. Others love them for aggressive strikes and firm white flaky flesh. To catch a perch is to catch a scrapper. The fish fights above its weight class. It looks good doing it. It tastes great in a beer batter. No Māori name exists because it is not a native fish. European settlers introduced it in the 1800s. It spread quickly through lowland waterways. Today it is the fish of the farm pond. It is the one caught as a kid. You pull them out one after another. You fill a bucket. You take them home to show a parent.
The farm pond is still. The perch hide in the weeds. A worm drops. The perch strikes. The line goes tight. The kid screams.
The perch does not know it is making a memory. It just wants the worm.