Percid Habitat: The River Analogy

We propose that the optimum habitat of the percid fishes Perca flavescens, P. fluviatilis, Stizostedton vitreum vitreum, and S. lucioperca in lakes may be defined by the littoral and sublittoral environmental conditions equivalent to those in large, temperate rivers. Analogous habitat conditions include sand or gravel substrate, low current velocity, reduced light penetration (Stizostedion spp. only), temperatures optimal for growth and reproduction, and well-oxygenated spawning substrates. The species' evolutionary origins and reproductive patterns also reflect their riverine ancestral habitat. Evidence in support of the hypothesis is derived from the diversity of papers contributed to the PERCIS Symposium.