Esox americanus

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AroW

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 30, 2005
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Can anybody give me some info on them? I know they are a cool water specie, but can they be succesfully be kept with tropical fish such as an african tiger pike? Thanks
 
Hiya Lil_blue,
You did say to do so so I think you are wrong, here is why,
Esox americanus is the small redfin pikerel, it gets to around 16", tolerates a wide range of water hardness, and lives in temps of up to 79 degrees F.
Hepsetus odoe is the fish often called African tiger pike, they get to 28" long but most stay around 18-22", they prefer moderately hard water but tolerate a pretty wide range, they also prefer higher temps but tolerate temps down to around 76 degrees F.
Both are stalk and pounce predators and not usually very aggressive with fish to big to eat (the H. odoe sometimes can turn mean).
If near the same size in a large tank they will probably not bother each other.
The problem is that the H. odoe grows faster and gets bigger so if both start at about 4-6" you have maybe 6 months to a year before the odoe is big enough to consider the pickerel the right size for lunch.
I think it would be a poor risk, but not for the reasons you gave.
 
Hiya Lil_blue,
You did say to do so so I think you are wrong, here is why,
Esox americanus is the small redfin pikerel, it gets to around 16", tolerates a wide range of water hardness, and lives in temps of up to 79 degrees F.
Hepsetus odoe is the fish often called African tiger pike, they get to 28" long but most stay around 18-22", they prefer moderately hard water but tolerate a pretty wide range, they also prefer higher temps but tolerate temps down to around 76 degrees F.
Both are stalk and pounce predators and not usually very aggressive with fish to big to eat (the H. odoe sometimes can turn mean).
If near the same size in a large tank they will probably not bother each other.
The problem is that the H. odoe grows faster and gets bigger so if both start at about 4-6" you have maybe 6 months to a year before the odoe is big enough to consider the pickerel the right size for lunch.
I think it would be a poor risk, but not for the reasons you gave.
A lot of north american fish can tolerate tropical temps, but usually only for short periods of time. The high temps will begin taking a toll on them, and it will greatly shorten their life span
 
I was suprised that they do well at such a high temp as well, here is a quote from a Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Publication,

Habitat - Usually found in among heavy growths of aquatic plants in sluggish streams, in shallow coves of lakes or in ponds. They prefer water from 75 to 80 degrees. Redfin pickerels may be the dominant predator fish in small creeks
 
Thanks. Very good information you got there! Do you know if I can catch any of these in the NY area(my guess is probably not)
 
I don't want everything, just a breeding pair of all the freshwater and brackish fish...,and a few salt.
 
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