Fish
Zander
Sander lucioperca · also called pikeperch
At dusk in a cloudy river, a zander glides beneath a shoal of roach, its large pale eyes fixed on the silver flickers above.
Overview
The zander, Sander lucioperca, is a Least Concern predatory fish of murky lakes, large rivers, and brackish waters across central and eastern Europe, and widely introduced elsewhere. Its pike-like teeth, large eyes, and dim-light hunting make it one of the most successful freshwater predators of Europe.
A predator of murky water
The zander’s large eyes work best in low light, which lets it hunt effectively in cloudy rivers and at dawn and dusk, when many of its prey cannot see it well.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and expanding where introduced.
Zander: common questions
Is the zander a pike or a perch?
It is a perch relative, but it has a long, pike-like body and sharp, canine-like teeth.
Why does the zander have such large eyes?
Its large, pale, reflective eyes are adapted to hunting in dim or cloudy water.
Is the zander native to Britain?
No, it is native to central and eastern Europe, and was introduced to Britain in the 1960s.
Where is the zander found?
It lives in murky lakes, large rivers, and brackish waters of central and eastern Europe, and in many places where it has been introduced.