Pirate perch
The pirate perch is a unique freshwater fish species native to the United States, primarily found in the Mississippi River basin and along the East Coast. Typically growing to about six inches (15 cm) in length, this fish is characterized by its two stripes along the tail fins and an unusual anatomical feature: its anus shifts from the tail area to a position beneath the throat as it matures. Pirate perch thrive in slow-moving waters rich in vegetation and debris, where they hunt a carnivorous diet consisting of small fish, insects, and invertebrates. They face predation from a variety of animals, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and larger fish, using their natural camouflage as a defense mechanism. The breeding season occurs in spring, with mating behaviors leading to a color change in males, who display iridescent purplish scales. While the specific lifespan of pirate perch has not been documented, they are notable for being the sole species within their genus, Aphredodoerus. This distinctive fish illustrates the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems in the United States.
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Pirate perch
The pirate perch is a freshwater species of fish commonly found in the United States in the Mississippi River basin and along most of The United States East Coast. Its habitats are primarily along slow-moving waterways near larger sources such as rivers. It is active amidst vegetation and bottom debris.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichthyes
Order: Percopsiformes
Family: Aphredoderidae
Genus: Aphredodoerus
Species: Sayanus
Pirate perch generally grow to be about six inches (fifteen centimeters) long. They have two bars, or stripes, along their caudal, or tail, fins. The most interesting physical feature of pirate perch are their moving anus. When a pirate perch is very young its anus is located on the bottom portion of its body near its caudal, or tail, fin. As the pirate perch grows, its anus creeps closer and closer toward its throat. When a pirate perch is fully grown its anus is located directly under its throat.
Like most other fish, pirate perch need oxygen to survive. Since they do not have lungs and cannot process oxygen from the air like humans, they have to find the oxygen they need from the water in which they live. They do this by taking water into their mouths, keeping the oxygen they need, and then releasing the chemical wastes through the gills on the sides of their bodies.
Pirate perch may be found in the still, slow-moving waters of the United States from New York to Texas and from Michigan to the Mississippi Valley.
Pirate perch have a varied diet. They are carnivorous, which means they consume meat. Common prey includes small fish, insects, and invertebrates, or spineless creatures.
Pirate perch are often preyed upon by birds, mammals, reptiles, and larger fish. Their natural camoflauge is a defense against predators.
Mating season for pirate perch is in the springtime during the months of April and May. Female pirate perch release eggs into the water and male pirate perch fertilize those eggs. This process of releasing and fertilizing eggs is known as spawning. During mating season, male and female pirate perch change colors. Their scales become an iridescent purplish color. Iridescent means to shine with colors like a rainbow.
The life span of pirate perch is unknown.
The pirate perch is the only species in the genus Aphredodoerus.
Bibliography
“Aphredodoerus Sayanus.” United States Geological Survey, nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=313. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Miner, Meghan. “Aphredodoerus sayonus Pirate perch.” Animal Diversity Web, 2006, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Aphredoderus‗sayanus. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
“Pirate Perch.” Animalia, 2024, animalia.bio/pirate-perch. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.