Volga pikeperch
📖 Overview
Inhabits large, turbid rivers and lakes, and brackish coastal lakes and estuaries. Most active at dusk and dawn. Feeds on small fish and invertebrates. Larvae and juveniles are pelagic and feed on zooplankton. Attains first sexual maturity at 3-4 years of age and 20-30 cm SL. Spawns in April-May. May undertake short spawning migrations .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Distinguished uniquely from congeners in Europe by the absence of canine teeth. Differs further by the combination of the following characters: second dorsal fin with 19-21½ branched rays; 70-83 scales on lateral line; and cheek scaled .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Volga pikeperch is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Individual females spawn 2-3 portions of eggs. May undertake short spawning migrations. Males are territorial. They excavate shallow depressions in sand or gravel, or exposed plant roots where eggs are deposited, usually along shallow shores at 1-2 m depth .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; pH range: 7.2 - 8.0; dH range: 10 - 25. Temperate; 8°C - 22°C ; 50°N - 43°N, 15°E - 40°E
🌿 Ecology
small fish and invertebrates
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-light 6-7ft spinning rod
- 8-12 lb line
- walleye jig heads
- rocky humps
- deep basin edges
- sand grass
- windward shores
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits and seasonal restrictions common.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Volga pikeperch 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
Detailed nutritional data for Volga pikeperch is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Volga pikeperch has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Volga Zander · Volga pikeperch |
| 🌍CES | candát východní |
| 🇩🇪German | Steinschill · Wolgazander |
| 🌍LIT | Volgos starkis |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Wolgasnoekbaars · Wolvasnoekbaars |
| 🇵🇱Polish | bersz |
| 🇷🇺Russian | волжский судак · или бёрш |
| 🌍TUR | bers · sekret balığı |
| 🌍UKR | Берш · Судак волзький |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? volgense | Gmelin | 1789 | Synonym |
| Lucioperca sandra volgensis | Gmelin | 1789 | Synonym |
| Lucioperca volgensis | Gmelin | 1789 | Synonym |
| Perca volgensis | Gmelin | 1789 | Homotypic |
| Sander volgense | Gmelin | 1789 | Synonym |
| Schilus pallasii | Krynicki | 1832 | Synonym |
| Stizostedion volgense | Gmelin | 1789 | Synonym |
| Stizostedion volgensis | Gmelin | 1789 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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