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Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) — Percidae

Pikeperch

Sander lucioperca
Family: Percidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
2.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Crepuscular
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The pikeperch is a slender predator of the family Percidae reaching about 1 metre. It combines features of perch and pike: a perch-like spiny first dorsal fin and an elongate, grey-green body with faint dark bars, but also pike-like canine teeth. The large, glassy reflective eyes are adapted to hunting in turbid and dark water. The species is native to central and eastern Europe but has been widely stocked for fisheries and is common in western European rivers, lakes and canals, including slightly brackish water. At dusk it hunts small schooling fish. The pikeperch is one of the most prized sport and food fish of fresh water.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pikeperch?

The Pikeperch has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Pikeperch live?

The Pikeperch lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Pikeperch get?

The Pikeperch grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Pikeperch dangerous to humans?

No, the Pikeperch is harmless to humans.

Is the Pikeperch edible?

Yes, the Pikeperch is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Snoekbaars sourced
English name
Pikeperch verified
Scientific name
Sander lucioperca
Family
Percidae
Other names
Perch-pike; Pikeperch verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Crepuscular inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
levensduur_max_jaar
17.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized verified
Fishing method
Zeer geliefd: verticaal jiggen, dropshot en spinnen met shads, of vissen met een levend of dood spiernetje, vooral in de schemering sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Sander

More from the family Percidae

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