ExploreFish

Pike

Esox lucius

Pikes are long, slender fish with sharp teeth that live in lakes and rivers. They are excellent hunters and can blend into their surroundings to catch their prey.

Habitat: Lakes and rivers

Appearance

The Pike is a long, torpedo-shaped fish with an olive-green body adorned with light, bean-shaped spots. It has a distinctive flattened, duck-bill shaped snout and large mouth, making it easily recognizable among freshwater predators.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumAngiospermaeClassActinopterygiiOrderEsociformesFamilyEsocidaeGenusEsox

Pike

Interesting facts

A Pike's eyes are positioned on top of its head, giving it a wide view upwards to spot prey.

Pike are so fierce, they sometimes eat other Pikes, even those nearly their own size!

Pike have teeth not only on their jaws but also on their tongue and roof of mouth!

Some massive Pikes have been known to live for over 25 years in the wild!

Special abilities

Pike can blend into its watery background because of its spotted green pattern that helps them surprise prey.

Pike can explode from stillness with incredible speed because of its powerful tail fin that helps them catch fast-moving prey.

Pike has hundreds of needle-sharp, backward-pointing teeth that help them securely grip slippery fish.

Pike has a special lateral line system that helps them detect tiny movements of hidden prey in murky water.

Measurements & details

Length: 45-130 cm
Weight: 1-20 kg
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Swim Speed: 35 km/h
Max Depth: 20 m
Water Type: Freshwater

Diet & Feeding

Pike are top predators, mainly eating other fish and sometimes small animals.

Age differences: Young pike start by eating invertebrates and small fish, transitioning to larger fish as they grow.

Primary Foods

fish
frogs
small mammals
waterfowl chicks
crayfish
insects

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eats

European Perch

Perca fluviatilis

A common prey fish for adult pike.

eaten by

Eurasian Otter

Lutra lutra

Otters prey on smaller pike in their habitat.

eats

Water Vole

Arvicola amphibius

Pike ambush voles that swim across waterways.

shelters

Floating Pondweed

Potamogeton natans

Pike hide among these plants to ambush prey.

Traits

Camouflaged

Look closely for animals that are masters of disguise, blending perfectly into their surroundings! Their colors and patterns help them hide from others.

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Ambush Predator

Meet masters of surprise! These clever hunters hide quietly and wait patiently for their prey to come close before pouncing with a quick move.

Freshwater

Discover animals and plants that live in non-salty water, like rivers, lakes, and ponds! These watery homes are vibrant with life.

Regenerative

Imagine if you could grow back a lost arm or tail! Some incredible creatures have the power to regrow body parts, making them truly amazing survivors in nature.

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.