Zander - Sander lucioperca

Zander are often a greeny brown colour with dark vertical markings, similar to the perch, and a cream or white belly. Their distinctive features are a double dorsal fin, with the front fin containing hard and quite sharp rays. They also have a flat spine at the rear of the gill cover. They have two long, sharp teeth at the front. Zander have large eyes that can often be opaque, which is an adaptation to enable them to see in murky waters and take advantage of prey.

Please provide photograph to support records.

Heavily boated canals, deep rivers and pools.

All year round.

Lifespan: up to 20 years.

Quite widespread in England, but rather local in distribution.  Zander is a non-native species that can be very harmful when introduced. As the law stands, it is illegal to return a zander or any other non-native fish species to the canal network.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.