Creole perch
📖 Overview
Creole perch (Percichthys trucha) is a ray-finned fish of the family Percichthyidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 40 cm. With a trophic level of 3.3, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food, valued as a sport fish.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Anal soft rays: 8 - 11. Distinguished from its congeners by possessing large coronomeckelian bone and dentigerous arm of premaxilla about 1.5 times the height of ascending process (vs. small coronomeckelian bone and dentigerous arm of premaxilla about 2 times or more the height of ascending process), and the following combination of characters: quadrate-mandibular articulation at anterior half of orbit; mouth hypognathous; posterior border of maxilla at anterior border of orbit or placed anterior to it, generally not beyond posterior border of lachrymal; hyoid artery piercing dorsal hypohyal; 3 predorsal bones; one super-numerary spine on first dorsal pterygiophore (rarely none); 3rd or 4th dorsal fin spine the longest; 7-8 trisegmented pterygiophores in dorsal fin; upper jaw length 90-120% snout length and 28-36% HL; head length 24-33% SL; length of pectoral and pelvic fins 48-75% HL; 50-80% body depth; 14-17 pectoral fin rays; 8-11 anal fin rays; 45-49 caudal fin rays; procurrent spur present .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Creole perch is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical South America: Colhue Huapi lake, Chubut, Negro, Limay and Colorado-Desaguadero systems in Argentina.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Creole perch is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 486 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Creole perch has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perca trucha | Valenciennes | 1833 | Synonym |
| Percichthys altispinis | Regan | 1905 | Synonym |
| Percichthys vinciguerrae | Perugia | 1891 | Synonym |
| Percichthys vinciguerrai | Perugia | 1891 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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