Bluegill vs. Perch — What's the Difference?

The bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), sometimes referred to as "bream", "brim", "sunny", "copper nose" or "perch" as is common in Texas, is a species of freshwater fish of the family Centrarchidae (sunfish) from the order Perciformes, native to North America and commonly found in streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands east of the Rockies. Bluegills can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) long and about 4+1⁄2 pounds (2.0 kg).

Perch is a common name for fish of the genus Perca, freshwater gamefish belonging to the family Percidae. The perch, of which three species occur in different geographical areas, lend their name to a large order of vertebrates: the Perciformes, from the Greek: πέρκη (perke), simply meaning perch, and the Latin forma meaning shape.

An edible sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) of North American lakes and streams, having a dark spot on the dorsal fin.

A rod or branch serving as a roost for a bird.

A North American sunfish; Lepomis macrochirus.

An elevated place for resting or sitting.

Important edible sunfish of eastern and central United States

A position that is secure, advantageous, or prominent.

A pole, stick, or rod.

A linear measure equal to 5.50 yards or 16.5 feet (5.03 meters); a rod.

One square rod of land.

A unit of cubic measure used in stonework, usually 16.5 feet by 1.0 foot by 1.5 feet, or 24.75 cubic feet (0.70 cubic meter).

A frame on which cloth is laid for examination of quality.

Any of several spiny-finned freshwater fishes of the genus Perca, especially either of two edible species, the yellow perch of North America, and P. fluviatilis of Europe.

Any of various similar fishes of the family Percidae, such as the walleye, or of other families, such as the white perch or the ocean perch.

To alight or rest on a perch; roost

To stand, sit, or rest on an elevated place or position.

To place on or as if on a perch

To lay (cloth) on a perch in order to examine it.

Any of the three species of spiny-finned freshwater fish in the genus Perca.

Any of the about 200 related species of fish in the taxonomic family Percidae, especially:

(South Africa) Acanthopagrus berda

(Ghana) Distichodus engycephalus, Distichodus rostratus

(Australia) Johnius belangerii, Macquaria ambigua, Macquaria colonorum, Macquaria novemaculeata, Nemadactylus macropterus

(USA) Kyphosus azureus

(UK) Lateolabrax japonicus, Tautogolabrus adspersus

Several similar species in the order Perciformes, such as the grouper.

A rod, staff, tree branch, ledge, etc., used as a roost by a bird.

A pole connecting the fore gear and hind gear of a spring carriage; a reach.

(figuratively) A position that is secure and advantageous, especially one which is prominent or elevated.

(figuratively) A position that is overly elevated or haughty.

(dated) A linear measure of 2 yards, equal to a rod, a pole or 4 chain; the related square measure.

A cubic measure of stonework equal to 16.6 × 1.5 × 1 feet.

(textiles) A frame used to examine cloth.

A bar used to support a candle, especially in a church.

(theatre) A platform for lights to be directed at the stage.

(intransitive) To rest on a perch (especially, of a bird); to roost.

(intransitive) To sit upon the edge of something.

(intransitive) To stay in an elevated position.

(transitive) To place something on (or as if on) a perch.

To inspect cloth using a perch.

Any fresh-water fish of the genus Perca and of several other allied genera of the family Percidæ, as the common American or yellow perch (Perca flavescens syn. Perca Americana), and the European perch (Perca fluviatilis).

Any one of numerous species of spiny-finned fishes belonging to the Percidæ, Serranidæ, and related families, and resembling, more or less, the true perches.

A pole; a long staff; a rod; esp., a pole or other support for fowls to roost on or to rest on; a roost; figuratively, any elevated resting place or seat.

A measure of length containing five and a half yards; a rod, or pole.

A pole connecting the fore gear and hind gear of a spring carriage; a reach.

To alight or settle, as a bird; to sit or roost.

To place or to set on, or as on, a perch.

To occupy as a perch.

Support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)

A linear measure of 16.5 feet

A square rod of land

An elevated place serving as a seat

Any of numerous fishes of America and Europe

Spiny-finned freshwater food and game fishes

Any of numerous spiny-finned fishes of various families of the order Perciformes

Sit, as on a branch;

To come to rest, settle;

Cause to perch or sit;