Scientific Name
Sander lucioperca

Common Name
Pike-perch

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 (Ref. 59043). Popularly fished by sport fishers. Its flesh is succulent (Ref. 30578). Utilized fresh or frozen and eaten steamed, broiled and microwaved (Ref. 9988). An individual weighing 19 kg was reportedly caught in 1959 in Starnberger, B

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Perches (Percidae)

Distribution

Region

Europe

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 (Ref. 59043). Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction (Ref. 1739)

Range

67°N - 36°N, 1°W - 75°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

6 °C

Water Temperature To

22 °C

Depth From - meters

2 m

Depth To - meters

30 m

Zone

pelagic

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; pelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 2 - 30 m (Ref. 30578), usually 2 - 3 m (Ref. 27368)

Trophic Level

4.25 s.e. 0.73 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

50.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5312 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (61 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.10-0.13; tm=3-5; tmax=16)

Threat To Humans

Potential pest (Ref. 57271)

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)