Overview
Very similar in body form and coloration to its close relative, the walleye, of North America. It is a slender fish with a pointed snout and a mouth with large, fang-like teeth. In large fish the upper jaw extends well beyond the center of the eye. The first and second dorsal fins are separate and both the dorsal and caudal fins have dark spots. The dark elongated spots on the dorsal fins form broken stripes. Color varies from greenish-gray to brown on the back and sides becoming lighter on the lower sides and white on the belly.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Percidae
- Genus
- Sander
- Species
- volgensis
Habitat
Most abundant in large lakes and lowland rivers, preferring cloudy water and avoiding weed-beds.
Diet
Feeds normally at dusk and dawn, on small fish and invertebrates. Juvenile fish feed on zooplankton.
Behavior
It is a predatory species. Hunts most actively at dawn and dusk, remaining inactive at other times, usually close to the bottom. While young Zanders are found in small schools with larger individuals becoming solitary.
Fishing
No information.
Conservation Status
Listed as This species has depleted stocks of native fish in some areas where it has been introduced for angling. by IUCN.