Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

Silver Perch

SILVER PERCH - Bairdiella chrysoura Family Sciaenidae, DRUMS

Description: 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.
Similar fish: sand seatrout, Cynoscion arenarius (the seatrouts usually have 1 or 2 prominent canine teeth at tip of upper jaw and do not have chin pores).
Where found: INSHORE in seagrass beds, tidal creeks and rivers, and marshes.
Size: small, not exceeding 9 inches.
Remarks: spawning takes place in shallow, saline portions of bays and other INSHORE areas, peaking between May and September; matures by second or third year (about 6 inches); adults eat crustaceans and small fishes; may live to 6 years.