Key Characteristics:
- Light chromatophores (spots) on the dorsum of the head
- No barbels
- Adipose fin present
- 14-16 preanal myomeres
- 18-20 post anal myomeres
![Caption](https://blog.uwgb.edu/ais/files/2018/05/b0492.jpg)
Larval Trout Perch. United States Fish Wildlife Service. Marian Shaffer. 2017.
![Caption](https://blog.uwgb.edu/ais/files/2018/05/g00241.jpg)
Larval Trout Perch. United States Fish Wildlife Service. Marian Shaffer. 2017.
![Caption](https://blog.uwgb.edu/ais/files/2018/05/b0493.jpg)
Larval Trout Perch. United States Fish Wildlife Service. Marian Shaffer. 2017.
![Caption](https://blog.uwgb.edu/ais/files/2018/05/g0026.jpg)
Larval Trout Perch. United States Fish Wildlife Service. Marian Shaffer. 2017.
- Body not elongated, eel-shaped, round in transverse section, uniformly pigmented (1B)
- Chin barbels absent (3B)
- Snout short, its length usually less than 10% TL; median fins otherwise (5B)
- Median fins or finfolds showing distinct separation (7B)
- Adipose fin, or its position, evident (10A)
- Total myomeres 32-34 (11A)
- Percopsidae – Trout Perch
Adult History
- Physical Description
- Adipose fin present, silvery appearance, 7-12 black spots on back, subterminal mouth, single dorsal fin with 10-11 rays and two spines, small teeth on the upper and lower jaws, and unique position of the pelvic fin (underneath the pectoral fin)
- Spawning Habitat
- Over sandbars and rocks in lakes
- Lower portion of tributary streams
- Along beaches and in streams less than 2 meters deep
- Spawning Substrate
- Deposits eggs on sandy bottoms
- Spawning Behavior
- Do not build nests or defend their territory
- Multiple males for one female
- Time of Year
- June – September in Lake Michigan
- Spawning typically takes place at water temperatures of 40-70°F
- Diet
- Small fish, aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans, copepods