Pike

D-Hecht; GB-Pike; DK-Gedde; PL-Szczupak; LT-Lydeka; LV-Līdaka; EST-Haug; RU-Щука; FIN-Hauki; S-Gädda

Characters

1) Mouth duckbill-like and superior.
2) Dorsal and anal fins same size located far back on body.
●) Body elongated.
●) Yellowish-greenish, marmorated with yellow spots or stripes, abdomen lighter.
Often 40 to 60 cm, up to max. 137 cm length.

Similar species

- unmistakable

Biology

Diurnal lurking predator; prefers densly vegetated, slow-flowing waters. Reaching sexual maturity with 3 to 4 years. Females are able to produce about 300.000 eggs.

Diet

Feeds on Cypriniformes, but also on frogs, small birds and mammals.

Importance

Not of high commercial importance as food fish, but popular as angling fish.

Endangerment

Not endangered.