THE PIKES 

 (Esocidae) 



The pikes arc almost too well known to require description. They 

 are slender tish whose heads are pointed in front and whose large 

 fins — the dorsal, anal and tail fins — are bunched together at the 

 rear. (The Pikeperch or Walleyed Pike is not a true pike, but be- 

 longs to the perch family and has a long dorsal fin which is spinv 

 in front.) The mouth opens half the length of the head. It is well 

 armed with teeth, even the tongue having a band of them. 



Mud Pickerel (Esox vermictdattis) 



Appearance. A small but typical pike. It is grassy green in color, 

 with irregular dark spots and bars. A yellow line runs along the 

 middle of the back. The long, bill-like head is olive green with 

 light patches. The gill covers are bright green and the belly is white. 



Size. Probably never more than 350 mm. 



Habitat. The reedy shallows of overgrown, mud-bottomed 

 streams and lakes and the shallows of the Great Lakes. 



Breeding Habits. Spawning takes place in the overgrown shal- 

 lows in March. The eggs and young receive no parental care. 



Food. Anything that moves. Minnows and aquatic insects are 

 preferred, but a pickerel will soon learn to eat bits of liver. 



Because of its ferocity and odd shape this species makes an inter- 

 esting pet. However, only small specimens should be kept, and even 

 they will swallow fishes of about their own size. 



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