Pike-perch (Sander lucioperca)

Scientific name: Sander lucioperca Linnaeus, 1758

The Pike-perch (Sander lucioperca) is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 6–22°C (43–72°F).

Pike-perch care at a glance

Temperature: 6–22°C (43–72°F)

Biology

Inhabits large, turbid rivers and eutrophic lakes, brackish coastal lakes and estuaries. Feeds mainly on gregarious, pelagic fishes. Attains first sexual maturity at 3-10 years of age, usually at 4. Undertakes short spawning migrations. Individuals foraging in brackish water move to freshwater habitats. Migrations up to 250 km have been recorded. Homing is well developed, even nearby populations may be relatively isolated. Spawns in pairs at dawn or night. Spawning occurs in April-May, exceptional from late February until July, depending on latitude and altitude when temperatures reach 10-14? C on spawning grounds. Popularly fished by sport fishers. Its flesh is succulent. Utilized fresh or frozen and eaten steamed, broiled and microwaved. An individual weighing 19 kg was reportedly caught in 1959 in Starnberger, B

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Sander lucioperca
Family: Percidae (Perches)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 100.0
Common length: 50.0
Depth range: 2–30 m (7–98 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; brackish; pelagic; potamodromous; depth range 2 - 30 m, usually 2 - 3 m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Europe: Caspian, Baltic, Black and Aral Sea basins; Elbe (North Sea basin) and Maritza (Aegean basin) drainages. North to about 65? N in Finland. Introduced widely. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Potential pest
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.10-0.13; tm=3-5; tmax=16)