Most Unwanted: Zander
Stizostedion lucioperca
Habitat: Freshwater
Threat: Competes with native fish species
Status: Potential
What is it?
A prominent invasive fish species in Britain. It was originally introduced for sport fishing. Zander are an open water predator that are well adapted to feeding under turbid water or low-light conditions, and as such represent a particular threat to native fish species such as Pollan.
Impact
This species will compete and predate on native fish species. Zander can potentially cause the collapse of a fishery by removing many of the young fish not allowing them to grow and spawn. Should this species arrive in Ireland, there is potential for the associated introduction of fish diseases and parasites. These impacts may lead to a reduction in the quality of Irish game (salmonid), and potentially coarse fisheries. It will also impact the ecological status of Irish waterbodies under the Water Framework Directive.
Habitat
Freshwater ecosystems such as rivers and canals.
Where is it from?
Central and Northern Europe
Where is it now?
Released into British waters in 1878. It has now spread through colonisation and illegal introductions to most of the Midlands Canals, the Rivers Avon and Severn and most of East Anglian fens and ditches.
What you can do to prevent its arrival
Do not introduce non native fish species.
Do not move species of fish from one waterbody to another.
Do not use live bait in river systems.
Report all sightings.
