Why do Walleye eyes look cloudy?

The cloudy appearance is due to the tapetum lucidum, a specialised reflective layer behind the retina. This acts like a mirror, bouncing light back through the eye to greatly enhance their vision in dark or murky water.

Can I keep a Walleye in a home aquarium?

No. Walleye grow exceptionally large (often exceeding 60 cm), require enormous volumes of cold, highly oxygenated water, and are active swimmers. They are only suited for very large ponds, lakes, or public aquariums.

They are strict carnivores. In the wild, adults feed almost exclusively on smaller fish, such as yellow perch and minnows. They will also eat large invertebrates like crayfish.

Are Walleye related to Pike?

Despite sometimes being called 'Walleyed Pike', they are not related to true Pike (family Esocidae). Walleye belong to the perch family (Percidae) and are close relatives of the Yellow Perch and the European Zander.

How fast do Walleye grow?

Growth rates are moderate and highly dependent on water temperature and food availability. Females typically grow faster and reach significantly larger sizes than males.

FreshwaterTropicalAdvanced

Walleye

Sander vitreus

The Walleye is a highly prized North American freshwater game fish, renowned for its distinctive, reflective eyes adapted for low-light hunting.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 4 – 22 °C
pH range: 6 – 8
Hardness: 4 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 50 – 80 cm
Expansive pond or private lake: 10,000 litres+
Lifespan: 10 – 20 years
Diet: carnivore
Water flow: moderate
Preferred setup: Deep, cool water with rocky or gravelly substrates, access to dim or shaded areas, and substantial open swimming space.

About the Walleye

Belonging to the perch family (Percidae), Sander vitreus is arguably one of the most sought-after game fish in North America, celebrated for both its challenging nocturnal bite and its culinary value. It is characterised by a torpedo-shaped body, olive-gold colouration, and large, opaque-looking eyes. These eyes contain a tapetum lucidum, a reflective layer that grants the fish exceptional vision in turbid waters and low-light conditions, making it a formidable apex predator.

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Where Walleye comes from

Native range

North America, Great Lakes Basin, Mississippi River Basin

Countries / regions

Canada, United States

Habitat

Large, deep lakes, reservoirs, and medium-to-large river systems with moderate currents.

Extensively stocked outside its native range across North America for recreational angling.

Similar species

Zander
Sander lucioperca
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
Sauger
Sander canadensis

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
Share the same native habitat and can coexist in large lakes, but large Walleye will prey on smaller perch.
Compatible with caution
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Both are large predators; they can coexist in expansive lakes but may prey on one another's juveniles.
Compatible with caution
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Coexist naturally, though they compete for the same food sources. Safe only in very large fishery setups.
Compatible with caution
Common Minnow
Phoxinus phoxinus
Small fish will be immediately viewed as prey and consumed by the Walleye.
Not recommended

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