"Perch follow eels on hunt" - Jack Perks

Underwater cameraman and angler Jack Perks has witnessed Britain’s many fish species doing some amazing things. We asked him to shed light on some of these hidden behaviours…

Perch follow eels on hunt

“When I’ve observed good-sized eels going along the lake or riverbed, digging in rocks looking for crayfish or bullheads, they’ll often be flanked by larger perch of about 1lb or 1lb 8oz.

Eels unwittingly help big perch to find food

“As soon as the eel goes under a rock, it sends smaller fish up in the water for the perch to feed on.

“This is really interesting because it’s learned behaviour. We tend to think of fish as being stupid, but this is a form of anticipation on their part that shows intelligence.

“I’m not saying I’m the first to discover this, but I’ve not seen or read about it anywhere else.

“I first saw it on the River Test and then again two days later on the Hampshire Avon. I’d imagine that it happens wherever there’s a good eel population.”

Perch know eels will uncover food for them

Help fund new fish film

Jack is currently crowdfunding to produce a free film called Britain’s Hidden Fishes, narrated by Jeremy Wade. To help get this project off the ground, visit Britain’s Hidden Fishes.