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Why are most perciform fishes found near tropical and temperate shorelines?

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Bluefin tuna swimming underwater in a group, with silvery bodies and streamlined shapes, near Japan. — perciform Bluefin tuna (*Thunnus thynnus orientalis*) in the waters near Japan.

Most perciform fishes are found along tropical and temperate shorelines primarily due to their specialized adaptations for life in these environments. Many perciforms, particularly those in the suborder Percoidei, are territorial, bottom-oriented, and investigative shorefishes that have evolved significant maneuverability for swimming in restricted areas, such as coral reefs and coastal habitats.1

Their success in these regions is largely attributed to two key evolutionary traits: the adaptability of their protractile mouths and a wide variety of specializations that allow for precise swimming control in complex, shallow environments. While perciforms are a highly successful and diverse group found worldwide—ranging from freshwater ponds to deep ocean depths—the majority of species are concentrated in warm, shallow coastal waters where these adaptive advantages are most beneficial for hunting and navigating among diverse structures. The number of perciform species tends to decrease significantly as one moves into higher latitudes.12