Esox
Esox is a genus of fresh water fish. It is the only living genus in the family Esocidae. The oldest known example of an Esox is Esox tiemani.[2] It dates to about 62 million years ago and was found in Alberta, Canada.[2] They are commonly called pike and pickerel. They are found in the northern parts of North America, Europe and Asia.[3] One species, Esox lucius, the Northern pike, is found in both Europe and North America.[3] Esox are large predatory fish with a long cylindrical body. They have a green color (various shades) with yellow eyes. Pike and pickerel share a forked tail fin and a large pointed head.[3] Their dorsal and anal fins are located far back on their bodies.[3] All species have very sharp teeth.
| Esox Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Northern pike (E. lucius) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Type species | |
| Esox lucius | |
Species
Currently there are five species in the Esox genus. The study of this family is not complete. There are several known hybrids between species which occur naturally.[4] The five species are:
- Esox lucius - The northern pike; found in both Eurasia and North America.[5]
- Esox reichertii - The Amur pike; found in the Amur river in Asia.[5]
- Esox masquinongy - The Muskellunge; found in northern and eastern North America.[5]
- Esox niger - The Chain pickerel; native to the U.S. states of Georgia and North Carolina.[5]
- Esox americanus - The redfin pickerel; also found in Georgia and North Carolina.[5]
There is an extinct species called Esox tiemani.
Forage
All species of Esox are predatory feeders.[6] They eat other fish, small mammals and birds.[6] Pike will eat almost anything that doesn't eat them first.[7]
References
Other websites
- University of Esox Archived 2014-06-13 at the Wayback Machine
- Northern Pike, Esox lucius
- Chain Pickerel Esox niger Archived 2014-07-02 at the Wayback Machine
- Redfin pickerel Archived 2013-10-30 at the Wayback Machine
- Amur pike in Russia