Silver Perch

Silver Perch is a fish of Australian origin and lives comfortably in a pH range that suits a wide variety of plants.  They also survive well in a range of temperatures and are a very common option of aquaponics enthusiasts.  Though I have never eaten them, reports are favourable for their flavour.

Physically they are a fairly typical looking fish and as the name suggests are  silver / grey colour which varies to a grey/brown or grey/green dependent on the water quality and other environmental conditions.  Their belly tends to be lighter and in comparison to other perch (such as the Golden Perch) they have smaller scales.

They are considered a medium to large freshwater fish and have a streamlined, oval shaped body with a small head, small eyes and small mouth which is quite pointed.  They typically grow to around 45cm and 7 to 8kg, though are considered ready for market at 500g.   Females grow to a larger size than males.   Their dorsal fin begins as a rigid, spined fan coming out from the peak of the back downwards to a second dorsal fin that is softer and rounder.  These dorsal fins along with the caudal fin (tail) are darker in colour compared to the pelvic fins.  The anal fins lie somewhere in between in colour.  

The small size of the scales creates a visually appealing pattern of a compact dark grey fishnet stocking over a paler silver background.  Apart from the small head and facial features of the fish in comparison to its body, along with the spined dorsal fin,  it is probably this fine fishnet pattern of scales that make it more easily distinguishable.

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