Zander Fish

Stizostedion lucioperca, Sander lucioperca
Their body is elongate, slender, laterally compressed, covered with very small scales (70 95 in lateral line), without cross-bars. Lateral line continues on the tail fin. They have a large mouth, the rear end of the maxilla in adults behind vertical from posterior edge of the eye. Total of dorsal spines are 13 20. The second dorsal fin has 18 24 soft rays; 2 3 anal spines with 11-14 soft rays, Caudal fin with 17 soft rays, Vertebrae: 45 47. No spines on the gill cover. Their upper and lower jaws have strong teeth.

Habitat and Habits
Inhabit deep, calm freshwater of lakes, reservoirs, canals and rivers with depth range 2 30 m, usually 2 3 m and temperate of 6°C 22°C. Feed mainly on fishes. The habitats occupied by Zander are likely to vary during different seasons, as shown by radio-tracking study done in the United States. In autumn, the adults prefer a substrate of large pebbles in 1.20-1.80 m depth. In winter, when the temperature approaches 5°C, Zander are found in pits and trenches where they overwinter. When the temperature rises above 2.8°C in spring, they commence upstream migration. 2 forms of Zander are known: residential and semi-form.