Basses Perches and Relatives: Perciformes

Some fishes in Perciformes are active during the day; others, at night. Some are fierce hunters, and others eat whatever floats their way. Some fishes live alone, and others form schools. In some species of Perciformes, eggs are fertilized (FUR-teh-lyzed), or united with sperm to start development, after the female releases them into the water or a nest. In other species the eggs are fertilized inside the female and then either are laid, or develop inside the female, then giveing birth to larvae or to young that look like adults. Larvae (LAR-vee) are animals in an early stage that must change form before becoming adults. Some Perciformes guard their eggs and young. In some species the young develop in a parent's mouth.