Overview
The zander is 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
- lucioperca
Habitat
Most abundant in large lakes and lowland rivers, preferring cloudy water and avoiding weed-beds.
Diet
It 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. The Zanders are not spectacular fighters, but can offer a dogged resistance.
Behavior
It is a predatory species. Eats mostly gregarious, pelagic fishes. Females lay eggs all at once. Males are very territorial. Undergo short migrational patterns, when temperature goes below 10 degrees Celsius and goes to areas above that to the range of 14 degrees Celsius.
Fishing
Methods of fishing similar to those used for northern pike but with lighter tackle. Most anglers freeline or ledger live or dead baits. Others find float fishing or using lures effective.
Conservation Status
Listed as This species has depleted stocks of native fish in some areas where it has been introduced for angling. by IUCN.