PERCH from the Atlantic Ocean are sometimes called redfish. They swim in schools in deep waters of the north Atlantic and are slowly recovering from drastic over-fishing that began in the 1930s. Atlantic perch also live and are farmed in the Pacific Ocean, where there are also many species of Pacific perch. Atlantic perch have a sweet, mild flavor and light-colored flesh. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, phosphorus, iodine, selenium, and vitamins D, Bfi, and Bir A small, 4-oz. serving contains 17% to 96% of the RDAs for these 16 nutrients, plus adequate amounts relative to calories of 10 others shown here.

Ocean perch is usually bright pink-red in colour with black flecks on its upper body, the lower half is lighter in colour, sometimes white. The pectoral fin is large and the dorsal fin has twelve strong spines. Although ocean perch grow to lengths of 47 cm and 1.8 kg in weight they are typically marketed at 35cm in length, weighing around 800 g.

Ocean perch is available year round and is a low to medium priced fish. It should not be confused with orange roughy that is marketed under 'deepsea perch' or 'sea perch'.