The European perch (Perca fluviatilis) is a highly predatory species of perch found in Europe and Asia. In some areas it is known as the redfin perch or English perch, and it is often referred to by the shortform perch. The species is very popular and has been widely introduced beyond its native area, into Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. They have caused substantial damage to native fish populations in Australia. European perch are greenish with red pelvic, anal, and caudal fins. They have 5-9 dark vertical bars on their sides. European perch size can vary greatly between bodies of water; in Australia the fish are sometimes much larger than in their native Europe. The perch can live for up to 22 years, and older perch are often much larger than average; the maximum recorded length is 60cm and reach a maximum weight of around 10.4kg in Australasia, a maximun of less than 3kg in the UK (the UK record stands at 6lb 2oz), they grow to moderately larger maximums in mainland Europe than in Britain. The perch spawns at the end of April or beginning of May, depositing it upon weeds, or the branches of trees or shrubs that have become immersed in the water; it does not come into condition again until July.