Pike-perch
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit large, turbid rivers and eutrophic lakes, brackish coastal lakes and estuaries. They feed mainly on gregarious, pelagic fishes. They attain first sexual maturity at 3-10 years of age, usually at 4. Undertake 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. Spawn 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 . Popularly fished by sport fishers. Its flesh is succulent . Utilized fresh or frozen and eaten steamed, broiled and microwaved . An individual weighing 19 kg was reportedly caught in 1959 in Starnberger, Bavaria, Germany (Peter Admicka, pers. Comm. E-mail: peter.adamicka@oeaw.ac.at).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 20; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18 - 24; Anal spines: 2 - 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 14; Vertebrae: 45 - 47. Distinguished from congeners in Europe by the following combination of characters: 1-2 enlarged canine teeth in anterior part of each jaw; second dorsal fin with 18-22½ branched rays; and 80-97 scales on lateral line . : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pike-perch is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Pike-perch is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
The spawning places are over gravel in moving water . "Males are territorial and excavate shallow depressions about 50 cm in diameter and 5-10 cm deep in sand or gravel, or among exposed plant roots on which eggs are deposited, usually in turbid water and at 1-3 m depth. Spawn in pairs, at dawn or night. The female remains over the nest while the male circles rapidly around, at about 1 meter from the nest. Then male takes a vertical orientation and both swim around swiftly, and eggs and sperm are released, The female leaves the nest after all eggs are released. The male defends the nest and fans the eggs with his pectorals. Females spawn once a year, laying all the eggs at one time . Feeding larvae are positively phototactic and feed on pelagic organisms after they leave the nest for open water" .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; pelagic; potamodromous ; depth range 2 - 30 m , usually 2 - 3 m . Temperate; 6°C - 22°C ; 67°N - 36°N, 1°W - 75°E North Sea basin) and Maritza (Aegean basin) drainages.
🌿 Ecology
gregarious, pelagic fishes
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Pike-perch is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 496 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Pike-perch has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centropomus sandat | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Lucioperca linnei | Malm | 1877 | Synonym |
| Lucioperca lucioperca | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Lucioperca sandra | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Perca lucioperca | Linnaeus | 1758 | Homotypic |
| Stizostedion lucioperca | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Stizostedion luciperca | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Stizostedium lucioperca | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 38 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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