Short communicationIndividual identification of Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis by means of their stripe patterns

In this study we show that the number, position and shape of stripes were sufficiently unique to demonstrate that juvenile Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis can be individually identified based on their stripe patterns. The stripe patterns in perch and also other species may thus be used in experiments as an alternative to conventional marking techniques that frequently cause stress to the fish.