Pike (esox Lucius)
The pike is the only representative of its family to be found in European waters. It has a characteristically depressed head and jaws with large teeth, the dorsal and anal fins are close to the tail fin. The pike has a grey-green or brownish back, greenish sides with yellow spots or stripes and a white belly with light grey spots. Exceptional specimens can reach a length of 150 cm and weigh up to 35 kg. However, pike longer than 1 metre and heavier than 10 kg are quite rare.
It is a predatory fish, which from an early age lives on the fry of other fish and later on adult fish and other aquatic vertebrates. It lives mainly in the lower reaches of rivers, in overgrown river backwaters and pools, but also penetrates high upriver against the current. In waters with a plentiful supply of relatively small fish it grows quite quickly. Its economic value for breeding in ponds as well as in open waters has increased considerably. It is often introduced into carp ponds, where it reduces the supply of small, unwanted fish. In many countries in Europe it is artificially reared and the fry are then relocated in ponds, rivers, dams and lakes. It usually spawns in early spring on the flooded vegetation of river meadows.
It can be found throughout Europe with the exceptiOn of the Iberian peninsula, the southern Balkans and southern Italy. Similarly it cannot be traced along the western shores of Norway. It is. a species which is indigenous to the temperate and northern zones of the whole northern hemisphere. It is also found in Asia and North America (where it is known as the northern pike).
Maximum size and weight:
150 cm, 35 kg. Identifying characteristics: Body long and cylindrical; rearwards placed dorsal fin; large mouth with numerous backward inclined teeth.
