........................The true Pikes
Common names:.......Muskie, Tiger Muskie, Northern Pike, Chain Pickeral, Amur Pike, Redfin/Grass Pickeral Origin:......................North America, throughout the eastern and mid United States, and up north into Canada and Alaska. Max size:..................1-6' depending on species PH:............-..............6.8-7.2 Temperature:...........55-70 F. Min tank size:..........60-1500 gallons Food:.........................Flakes, oatmeal, live foods, vegetable matter |
The infamous pikes are among North America's most predatory and carnivorous
fish. Most of them are favored by the fishing industry for their
fighting abilities (on rod and reel) and their palatability.
There are 6 species of true pike. The Muskellunge (Muskie), Tiger Muskie,
Northern Pike, Chain Pickeral, Redfin/Grass Pickeral, and Amur Pike.
All species of Esox have the same body shape. They are very elongated,
torpedo shape, slightly compressed, and have long snouts shaped like a duck's bill, full of
large razor sharp canine and conical teeth. The head and mouth are huge, nearly 1/4 the size of the fish itself.
The dorsal and anal fins are set very far back, typical of an ambush hunting fish.
All of these fins are rounded, but the cadual fin is forked. The scales are small and fine.
Coloring is nearly identical with with all species. This more than anything
makes identification difficult. Basically all pikes have a back that is greenish
to light brown, and fades to lighter colors of siver, grey, blue, tan, and/or gold, then
the belly fades to a creamy white. The real distinction between species is mottling,
snout bluntness, scale location, and of course size.
Northern Pike (Esox lucius): (4') irregular oval shaped yellow markings on typical background. Long snout. Cheeks scaled. (Shown in picture)
Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy): (6') dark vertical diagonal bands. Scaled upper cheeks. Fairly blunt snout.
Tiger Muskie (hybrid between latter and former): (6') darker tiger-like vertical bands. Blunt snout.
Chain Pickeral (Exox niger): (2') dark chain-like markings. Long snout. Opercles fully scaled.
Redfin/Grass Pickeral (Esox americanus): (1') blunt snout, small body. Vain-like markings. There are two
recognized subspecies in this genus; Esox americanus americanus, the redfin pickerel, and Esox americanus vermiculatus, the grass pickerel.
Amur Pike (E. reicherti): (4') Doubtful it's even imported, originates from Siberia.
In order to have a pike, you must collect them from their natural range.
This means either dip-netting, seining, or angling for them. Young fry
are fairly easy to collect with netting, but once they put on size, they
become elusive and therefore other collecting techniques must be administrated.
When catching them by angling, you must use a wireleader, live or artificial
bait, and of course tackle appropriate to the size of fish you want to catch
(in some cases this may not be a variable). These fish occur only in
North America, throughout the eastern and mid United States, and up north
into Canada and Alaska. Check the Department of Fish and Game before collecting
or keeping any, because these fish are illegal to have just about everywhere
where they are not native.
All pikes are feroscious predators that can consume prey nearly their own
size. Prey is ambushed by the pike in dense vegetation, where the pike
moves into a spring-loaded "S" shaped position, then suddenly strikes, visciously
catching a morsel in the mouth. Once secure, the victim is swallowed
head first. Large pikes are fully capable of biting a victim in two and
delivering a nasty bleeding bite (usually when out of the water).
For your aquarium, most pikes are not suitable. They cannot be kept with
each other because a pike's worst enemy is it's own species. They are notoriously
cannibalistic and will not hesitate to devour another specimen (especially in younger individuals). Therefore
you will have to keep one in a tank by itself, or with extremely carefully
selected tankmates. This means something fully longer and taller than the pike
itself, however, accidents can happen. Overall it is best to keep the pike
in a large display tank by itself. The size of this tank must be of certain
size depending on the species. For smaller pickerals, a tank of about
60 gallons is needed. For muskies and northern pikes a tank of 1000 to 1500
gallon capacity is a must, specifically if you intend to keep the pike throughout
adulthood. Give these monsters plenty of dense vegetation,
with a slight void in it which will give the pike a lair. A flowerpot
or other tubular object can also be used to provide a man-made ambush site.
Keep the water neutral, well areated, and clean, with a temperature between 60 and 70 degrees (can
easily be kept much cooler, even frozen over). If you can't provide water
this cold, an aqua-cooler is a wise investment. PIKES ONLY EAT LIVE FOOD.
This means plenty of shiners, nightcrawlers, insects, goldfish, crayfish,
and just about anything else alive that the pike can swallow. It is best
to use soft-bodied elongated prey, than spiny deep-bodied prey. Allow periods
of fasting. If you cannot provide live food to your pike, release it where you
found it in the summer time.
Pikes are a world recognized tankbuster from our country. They represent
a side of "wild America" rairly experienced.
We appreciate your feedback.