American silver perch

Silver Perch
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Osteichthyes
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Sciaenidae
Genus:	Bairdiella
Species:	B. chrysoura
Binomial name
Bairdiella chrysoura (Lacépède, 1802)

The American silver perch, Bairdiella chrysoura, is an American fish. Widespread on the eastern seaboard, the silver perch is commonly caught by inshore anglers in search of larger species. Rarely attains 9 inches (230 mm). Silver Perch are an underutilized resource as they are excellent table fare and a welcome addition to any Southern fall fish fry.

Fishing

Silver Perch: Bairdiella chrysoura

Appearance:

   Color silvery with yellowish fins
   No spots
   No chin barbels
   No prominent canine teeth at tip of upper jaw
   Preopercle finely serrated
   5 to 6 chin pores
   Mouth terminal

Habitat:

Silver perch are found inshore in seagrass beds, tidal creeks and rivers, and marshes. Behavior:

Spawning takes place in shallow, saline portions of bays and other inshore areas, peaking between May and September. Silver perch mature by second or third year (by 6 inches). Adults eat crustaceans and small fishes. They may live to 6 years. State Record:

This species is not currently eligible for a state record. Fishing Tips and Facts:

Additional Information:

Silver perch are similar in appearance to the sand seatrout, Cynoscion arenarius. Seatrout usually have 1 or 2 prominent canine teeth at tip of upper jaw and do not have chin pores.

Source

• Smithsonian Marine Station
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission