Zander

Sander lucioperca

Least Concern Brackish

Max Length

130.0 cm

Max Weight

20.0 kg

Color

Greenish-gray to olive body with …

Depth Range

2-30m

Family

Percidae

About

The zander is the European equivalent of the walleye and one of the most prized freshwater predators in Europe. Its excellent low-light vision makes it a crepuscular hunter. Its delicate white flesh is considered among the finest of freshwater fish.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	130.0 cm
Maximum Weight	20.0 kg
Depth Range	2-30m

Coloration

Greenish-gray to olive body with 8–10 dark olive-brown vertical bars or saddle blotches; flanks finely mottled; belly whitish; first dorsal fin with dark-spotted rays; large glassy eyes adapted for low light.

Habitat & Distribution

Estuaries

Water Type

Brackish

Depth Range

2-30m

Geographic Range

Native to river systems and large lakes of northern and central Europe and western Asia, including the Volga, Danube, Rhine, and Baltic Sea drainages. Tolerates mildly brackish conditions in the Baltic and Caspian sea margins.

Countries

🇩🇪 Germany

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Distribution Map

Present Not recorded countries

Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

Zander is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Edibility & Culinary

Taste

Lean, firm white flesh with a delicate, mild flavor and nearly no fat; boneless fillets are easy to work with. The most prized freshwater eating fish in Central and Eastern Europe.

Fishing Information

Game Fish

Yes

Fight Rating

6/5

Recommended Bait

soft plastics, jigs, live baitfish

Taxonomy

Order	Perciformes (Perch-like fishes)
Family	Percidae (Perches)
Species	Sander lucioperca

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
Arabic	قشر البياض
Chinese (Simplified)	白梭吻鱸
French	Sandre
German	Zander
Japanese	ザンダー
Korean	잔더
Russian	обыкновенный судак
Spanish	Lucioperca
Turkish	Sudak balığı

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat Zander?

Lean, firm white flesh with a delicate, mild flavor and nearly no fat; boneless fillets are easy to work with. The most prized freshwater eating fish in Central and Eastern Europe.

How big does Zander get?

Zander can grow up to 130.0 cm long and weigh 20.0 kg.

Where is Zander found?

Is Zander endangered?

The conservation status of Zander is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Zander belong to?

Zander (Sander lucioperca) belongs to the family Percidae (Perches) in the order Perciformes (Perch-like fishes).