The pike-perches of the genus Sander have an Holarctic distribution while the zingels of the tribe Romanichthyini are found in Europe.

They are largely freshwater species but some can be found in brackish water.

The species within the Luciopercinae have a number of morphological characteristics in common.

On the other hand the tribe Romanichthyini is restricted to Eastern Europe where the species within the tribe are all endemic to the fast flowing streams of the Danube drainage basin.

[2] The subfamily is classified into two tribes and three genera,[3] as set out below, containing a total of 10 species:[4][1]