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.

Image Credit: Diane Rome Peelbes