Butterfly Perch

BUTTERFLY PERCH

Caesioperca lepidoptera

RECORD:  1.3kg, P Matthews, Kapiti, 2007

DESCRIPTION:

Butterfly perch are a small pink fish with a conspicuous black dot on their flanks.

MoF REGULATIONS:

Bag limit:                                                   Part of 20 finfish limit.

Size:                                                            -

FEEDING HABITS & HABITAT:

Butterfly perch are found throughout the country but are really only found in shootable sizes in the lower half of the North and in the South Island.  They are usually found on weedlines from about 5m and deeper (again the further south you go the shallower they may be found) where they feed on plankton.  Like all weedline species they like areas facing into the current which bring their food to them.

HUNTING TECHNIQUES:

Butterfly perch are not particularly hard to spook and will let you get v ery close quite quickly as long as now overtly threatening movements are made.  As always find the part of the weedline catching the most current where they will be found with other schooling fish such as demoiselles etc.