596 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [130] 



It can, however, be hardly recommended for systematic cultivation, us 

 it does not find a ready sale. Tii former times this may have been dif- 

 ferent, as we read that the crucian was cultivated on a large scale. 

 Crucians may, under certain circumstances, prove injurious to the carp. 



3. THE PIKE {Esox luchts). 



A special culture of the pike, as of all fish of prey, must be considered 

 inexpedient, as their jnnncipal food consists of (isli, and as they destroy 

 more than they can produce (a pike will, in one week, consume a quantity 

 offish equal to double its own weight), and as, moreover, they generally 

 bring a lower price than carp. It would, therefore, hardly pay to cul- 

 tivate them regularly, as this would necessitate the raising of special 

 food-fish for them. As an addition to carp ponds they may be recom- 

 mended principally to keep these ponds clear of worthless fisb, which 

 eat up the food intended for the carp, and also to destroy the sui)erfluou8 

 fry of the carp. Carp stock ponds are therefore the spawning', raising, 

 and stock ponds of the ])ike, which are here left to the care of nature. 

 In the chapter on stock ponds hints have been giv^en as to the num- 

 ber and size of the pike to be placed in each pond. On the subject of 

 special pike i>onds, Yon Ijlireidvreuzsays: "Ponds containing many frogs 

 are particularly suited for pike ponds. If for some years these ponds 

 have been stocked with vigorous pike, tlie number of frogs decreases 

 rapidly, and as soon as tlie pike have accustomed themselves to this 

 kind of food, it is quite amusing to watch them hunting frogs. If the 

 ponds contain no frogs, some fish of an inferior kind, which spawn 

 profusely', should be placed in them, or some carcass should be thrown 

 into the water for pike food. Pike will thrive best in ponds with carp 

 weighing 2 or 3 jwuuds apiece, crucians, tench, «&c., as these fish spawn 

 frequently, and thereby furnish an ample sujjply of food for the pike. 

 If they are to have special ponds, these should in spring be stocked 

 Avith crucians and other common fish; after these have been in the pond 

 for one year, an<l have spawned, pike are put in weighing one-half to 

 three-quarters of a pound apiece; after two years they will have reached 

 a weight of 3, 4, and even pounds ; and when the pond is fished it is 

 quite probable that, besides pike, a considerable quantiy of crucians 

 will be caught, especially if they were good-sized fish when they were 

 placed in the pond."* 



4. PIKE-PERCH (LHcioperctt .•^enulra). 



As to its mode of life, this lish strongly resembles the pike. It in- 

 creases very fast, fetches a higher price than pike and carp, and, wher- 

 ever the conditions are favorable for its cultivation, it may be recom- 

 mended as an addition to carp ponds. All that can be said against it 

 is its tenderness, which makes its transportation difficult. On the Wit- 



* B. von Ehrenkreuz, Angelfischerei, 1873, p. 227. 



