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. It dates to about 62 million years ago and was found in Alberta, Canada. They are commonly called pike and pickerel. They are found in the northern parts of North America, Europe and Asia. One species, Esox lucius, the Northern pike, is found in both Europe and North America. 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. Their dorsal and anal fins are located far back on their bodies. All species have very sharp teeth.

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. The five species are:

• Esox lucius - The northern pike; found in both Eurasia and North America.
• Esox reichertii - The Amur pike; found in the Amur river in Asia.
• Esox masquinongy - The Muskellunge; found in northern and eastern North America.
• Esox niger - The Chain pickerel; native to the U.S. states of Georgia and North Carolina.
• Esox americanus - The redfin pickerel; also found in Georgia and North Carolina. There is an extinct species called Esox tiemani.

Forage

All species of Esox are predatory feeders. They eat other fish, small mammals and birds. Pike will eat almost anything that doesn’t eat them first.