The ocean perch is bright red, pink, or orange, which makes its large, black eyes stand out in contrast. This fish, also known as red perch, is the only Atlantic member of the rockfish group. It ranges from southern Labrador to southern New England and typically is found close to the ocean floor in cold, deep, offshsore waters.
Ocean perch are slow growers and are different from most fish in that they bear their young live.
Since these fish are slow growing, stocks may get depleted and are difficult to rebuild. According to the Seafood Handbook , U.S. landings of Atlantic ocean perch have declined steadily and significantly since the 1940's, while imports from Canada and Iceland have increased. According to Chef Edward J. Hennessy, of Regency Caterers, ocean perch average between 1-4 pounds, which makes them a very popular restaurant item. In the North Atlantic, ocean perch is known as redfish, but in the southern states it is called ocean perch. No matter how confusing the names appear, they are all similar in that they're good-eating.