Pirate Perch

Pirate perch generally grow to be about six inches (15 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 are carnivorous creatures. They survive on a diet of only meat. Generally, their diet includes many small fish and invertebrates, or spineless creatures.

Pirate perch are often preyed upon by birds, mammals, reptiles, and larger fish.

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.

Source: Encyclopedia of Animals