Details
Sander lucioperca
Zander is a slender predatory fish of European lakes and large rivers, also called pike-perch. Where introduced for fisheries, it can affect native fish communities.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It inhabits lakes, reservoirs, and slow large rivers from Europe into western Asia. Main habitat types in this guide are freshwater.
Typical length 40-100 cm, weight 1 kg-20 kg. An elongated body, sharp teeth, large eyes, and spiny dorsal fin mark it as a predator.
It is nocturnal and often found in loose groups. It becomes active in turbid water or dim light and tracks schools of small fish.
It is carnivorous. Small fish dominate, with crustaceans and other aquatic animals also taken.
Spawning occurs on shallow gravel or sand, and males guard nest areas.
Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. Where introduced for fisheries, it can affect native fish communities.
