Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) fish species and information / pictures of Muskellunge - Esox masquinongy

Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) fish species information

Scientific Name
Esox masquinongy

Common Name
Muskellunge

Biology
Lives in clear vegetated lakes, quiet pools and backwaters of creeks and small to large rivers (Ref. 205, 10294). Solitary, lurking hunter on other fishes as well as on ducklings, muskrats, and snakes. Oviparous, spawn in spring as the ice melts (Ref. 205).

Classification

Classified By

Mitchill, 1824

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Pikes and Mudminnows (Esociformes)

Family

Pikes (Esocidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: Native to St. Lawrence River - Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and Mississippi River basins. Introduced elsewhere in the USA. Native populations are protected in portions of Tennessee and Ohio.

Range

53°N - 30°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; non-migratory

Trophic Level

4.5 s.e. 0.80 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

183 cm

Common Length

95.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5627 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (85 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.07-0.15; tmax=30)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated