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Muskellunge,
Esox masquinongy. |
Class: Bony fish
Order: Pike, smelt, salmon, and trout
Family: Pike
Species found in the Rideau River: Northern pike,
muskellunge
Characteristics of the family:
Pike have long, torpedo-shaped bodies and duckbill-shaped jaws. The dorsal
fin is set well back along the body. Pike have large teeth on their jaws
and tongue.
| Description |
Long,
torpedo-shaped body with a green or brown back and lighter,
yellow-green sides. The belly is white or yellowish. The duckbill-shaped
jaws have large teeth covering the jaws and tongue. The dorsal
fin is set well back along the body. |
| Size |
0.7
m to 1.2 m |
| Distribution |
Range
is eastern Canada (Manitoba to New Brunswick) and eastern U.S.A.
(as far south as Georgia). |
| Habitat |
In vegetation in lakes or slower sections of large rivers. |
| Food |
Zooplanktons,
fish, frogs, muskrats, waterfowl. |
| Life
cycle |
Muskellunge
spawn in spring. The eggs are randomly scattered over dense
vegetation. They do not care for their young or build nests.
Lifespan is up to 15 years. |
| Interesting
facts |
The
muskellunge is one of Canada's largest freshwater fish, second
only to the sturgeon. |
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Muskellunge,
Esox masquinongy. |
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