Most authorities recognize three species within the perch genus:
* The [[European perch]] (''P. fluviatilis'') is found in [[Europe]] and [[AsiaNorth America]], but a few can also be found in [[South Africa]], and even as far east on the [[Southern Hemisphere|Southern hemisphere]] as [[Australia]]<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Orban |first=Elena |last2=Nevigato |first2=Teresina |last3=Masci |first3=Maurizio |last4=Di Lena |first4=Gabriella |last5=Casini |first5=Irene |last6=Caproni |first6=Roberto |last7=Gambelli |first7=Loretta |last8=De Angelis |first8=Paola |last9=Rampacci |first9=Massimo |date=2007-01 |title=Nutritional quality and safety of European perch (Perca fluviatilis) from three lakes of Central Italy |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0308814605008903 |journal=Food Chemistry |language=en |volume=100 |issue=2 |pages=482–490 |doi=10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.09.069}}</ref>. This species is typically greenish in color with dark vertical bars on its sides with a red or orange coloring in the tips of its fins. The European perch has been successfully introduced in [[New Zealand]] and [[Australia]], where it is known as the redfin perch or English perch. In Australia, larger specimens have been bred, but the species rarely grows heavier than {{convert|6|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}}.
* The [[Balkhash perch]] (''P. schrenkii'') is found in [[Kazakhstan]], (in [[Lake Balkhash]] and [[Lake Alakol]]), [[Uzbekistan]], and [[China]]. It is very similar to the European perch, and grows to a comparable size.
* The [[yellow perch]] (''P. flavescens''), smaller and paler than the [[European perch]], is found in [[North America]]. In northern areas, it is sometimes referred to as the lake perch. This species is prized for its food quality and has often been raised in hatcheries and introduced into areas in which it is not native. Yellow perch are almost identical in appearance to European perch, but have a more yellow coloring. These fish typically only reach a size of about {{convert|15|in|cm|order=flip|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}.
