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Troutperches and Relatives: Percopsiformes

Physical Characteristics, Conservation Status, Pirate Perch (aphredoderus Sayanus): Species AccountGEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, BEHAVIOR AND REPRODUCTION, THEIR RELATIVES TROUTPERCHES AND PEOPLE



PIRATE PERCH (Aphredoderus sayanus): SPECIES ACCOUNT

Troutperches and their relatives live in Alaska, Canada, and the eastern United States.

Troutperches and their relatives live in freshwater. Some live in swamps, and some live in caves.

Troutperches and their relatives are predators (PREH-duhters), or animals that hunt and kill other animals for food. They eat a variety of animals. Some eat members of their own species.

All troutperches and their relatives live alone, but little else is known about their behavior. At least two of the species that do not live in caves are active at night. These fishes lay eggs that are penetrated by sperm and hatch outside the female's body, but little else is known about their reproduction. At least for the species that do not live in caves, spawning, or the release of eggs, takes place in the spring.



Some troutperches and their relatives can be found in both home and public aquariums.

Did You Know?

Troutperches are neither trouts nor perches.

Environmental Engineer

Pirate perch are considered an indicator of good water quality by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality for the Gulf Coastal Ecoregion.

Additional topics

Animal Life ResourceFish and Other Cold-Blooded Vertebrates