Perch is the best-known fish species of Finnish lakes. It is also the most common fish species in Finland, as well as the national fish of Finland.

During the day, perches move in schools of multiple fishes. When night falls, they go their separate ways and settle on the bottom of the lake. 

The perch can be identified by its vertical stripes and its spiky top fin.

The perch is a relatively small fish. The largest perch that has ever been caught weighed only 3 kg.

The perch eats fishes that are smaller than it, as well as microscopically small zooplankton that float freely in water.