Esox masquinongy Mitchill, 1824
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
photo by Divino, J.N.

Family:  Esocidae (Pikes)
Max. size:  183 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 32 kg; max. reported age: 30 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater, non-migratory
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.
Diagnosis:   
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).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 December 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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