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Blue pike (Sander vitreus) — Percidae

Blue pike

Sander vitreus
Family: Percidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue pike (Sander vitreus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Percidae that grows up to 107 cm.

Length
107 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–27.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Crepuscular
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The walleye (Sander vitreus) is a large North American perch of the family Percidae. The species has an elongate, olive-gold body with dark mottling, sharp canine teeth and conspicuously large, reflective eyes with a reflective layer (tapetum lucidum) that gives excellent vision in low light. It can exceed one metre. The walleye inhabits lakes, pools and runs of medium to large rivers, often in turbid water near structure. As a predator it hunts mainly at dusk and at night for other fishes. It is one of the most sought-after sport and food fishes of North America.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue pike?

The Blue pike has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Blue pike live?

The Blue pike lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Blue pike get?

The Blue pike grows to a maximum of about 107 cm. On average the species is around 54 cm.

Is the Blue pike dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue pike is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue pike edible?

Yes, the Blue pike is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Glasoogbaars sourced
English name
Blue pike verified
Scientific name
Sander vitreus
Family
Percidae
Other names
Dory; Glass eye; Gray pike; Green pike; Jack salmon verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
107.0 verified
Average length (cm)
54.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
27.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Crepuscular inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
29.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met jigs, wormen of kleine kunstaasjes nabij de bodem en bij structuur, vooral in de schemering en 's nachts. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Sander

More from the family Percidae

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