The northern pike (Esox lucius) is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox (the pikes). They are typical of brackish and fresh waters of the Northern Hemisphere (i.e. holarctic in distribution). They are known simply as a pike in Britain, Ireland, and most of Eastern Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Pike can grow to a relatively large size: the average length is about 40–55 cm (16–22 in), with maximum recorded lengths of up to 150 cm (59 in) and published weights of 28.4 kg (63 lb).^[rx] The IGFA currently recognizes a 25 kg (55 lb) pike caught by Lothar Louis on Griffin Lake, Germany, on 16 October 1986, as the all-tackle world-record northern pike.^[rx] Northern pike grows to larger sizes in Eurasia than in North America, and typically grows to larger sizes in coastal than inland regions of Eurasia.^[rx]

Northern pike facts

The northern pike is long with a slender body of olive green and a yellowish to white belly. The sides of the fish have spots of light color which match the color of the belly. It has a flattened and long snout. The mouth consists of sharp teeth. They are found in freshwater, deep lakes, shallow ponds, and muddy rivers. The color ranges from green, olive green, brown with yellowish or bean-shaped spots. It is white to the cream underside. It has a soft dorsal fin placed near the tail fin. The spawning occurs in spring when the water temperature reaches from 4 to 7 degrees Celsius. The female pike lays about 100,000 eggs. Females become sexually mature at 3-4 years and males at 2-3 years.

Northern pike (Esox Lucius) also known as Pike, American pike, Great northern pike, Common pike, Great Lakes pike, Snot rocket, Grass pike, snake, Slough shark, and Slough snake, is a long and slender fish of the family Esocidae. It is inherent to North America and Eurasia. They are also available in Labrador west, Alaska, Nebraska Pennsylvania, and Missouri. It is a carnivorous fish whose prey is frogs, waterfowl, crayfish, minnows, muskrats, mice, and ducklings. They are usually found in brackish and freshwaters. The world record of Northern pike measures about 25 kg or 55 lb. was caught in Lake of Griffin (Germany) by Lothar Louis on 16 October 1986.

Description

Northern pike grows up to the length of 70-120 cm (28-47 inches). It has a long and slender body with flat snout. The eyes are bright yellow. It has an olive-green body and a yellow to white belly. Female Northern pike lays about 100000 eggs. The spawning takes place in spring when the temperature of the water reaches 48 degrees Fahrenheit. The eggs are yellow to orange of 2.5-3 mm (0.098-0.118 inches) in diameter. The sticky eggs hatch after two weeks. It grows rapidly in the first two years and reaches sexual maturity between the age of 3 and 5. In average, it could live up to 7 years in the wild. They are found in the freshwater of Northern Hemisphere that includes Europe, Russia and North America.

Nutritional value

0.5 fillets of cooked Northern pike covers 113.1 g of moisture, 175 calories, 38.27 g of protein, 1.36 g of total lipid fat, and 2.39 g of ash. It also contains the nutrients such as 3.56 µg of Vitamin B12, 1.764 g of Isoleucine, 3.514 g of Lysine, 0.429 g of tryptophan, 1.677 g of threonine, 1.972 g of valine, 1.127 g of histidine, 3.111 g of leucine, 38.27 g of protein, 437 mg of phosphorus, 25.1 µg of selenium, 4.34 mg of niacin, 1.349 mg of Vitamin B5, 0.48 mg of manganese, 0.209 mg of Vitamin B6, 62 mg of magnesium, 1.1 mg of Iron, 1.33 mg of Zinc, 113 mg of Calcium, 0.101 mg of Copper and 513 mg of Potassium.

Health Benefits of Northern pike

The northern pike has an elongated body as well as the head. The body has the color of light green or dark green. The underside part is white to yellowish. The yellow or gold spots are irregular. The presence of a broad and flat snout resembles a duckbill. The mouth has sharp teeth. Northern pike is loaded with various health benefits such as:

1. Cures anemia

Vitamin B12 helps to treat anemia such as megaloblastic anemia and pernicious anemia. It replenishes the Intrinsic factor that is essential for the maintenance of blood normality. (1)

2. Strengthen immunity

Protein is essential for the formation of immunity power that acts as self-defense against diseases and infections. Antibodies detect and eliminate foreign elements such as antigens. (2)

3. Bone structure

Phosphorus is essential for the growth and maintains teeth as well as bone health. It works with calcium for creating bone health. It promotes gum health along with tooth enamel. It provides relief from the conditions such as bone loss and loss of mineral density. A recent study shows that phosphorus is associated with heart health and prevents the conditions such as cardiovascular diseases. (3) (4)

4. Support digestive health

Vitamin B3 supports the functions of digestive health, promotes appetite, assists nerve function, and provides glowing skin. (5)

5. Reduce stress

Pantothenic acid helps to lower stress and mental conditions such as depression, anxiety and keeps the mind fit. It regulates hormones that are responsible for these conditions. (6)

6. Level of sugar

Manganese helps to control the sugar level in the blood. It prevents diabetes. It normalizes the secretion and synthesis of insulin. Manganese controls the uncertain drop in blood sugar. (7)

7. Skin ailments

Vitamin B6 helps to maintain skin health and treats the skin conditions such as dandruff, eczema, acne, dry skin, psoriasis, melanoma, and hair loss. (8)

8. Prevent Cramps

Magnesium cures kidney stress; relaxes back muscles and muscular tension. It assists the body in absorbing calcium that helps to heal the bones faster. Its deficiency could lead to the cramp in legs and general fatigue. The intake of magnesium supplements treats chronic leg cramps. (9)

9. Hemoglobin production

Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin. It provides dark shade to blood and helps to transport oxygen to body cells. As human beings lose blood through internal and external injuries, extra hemoglobin is essential. Women are more likely to suffer from anemia as they lose blood during menstruation. (10) (11)

10. Treat obesity

Calcium maintains the weight of females and males.  It releases a parathyroid hormone that promotes bones to release in the bloodstream. It promotes fat production and prevents break down which is the cause of obesity. One should intake an adequate amount of calcium only to obtain the health benefits, not more. (12)

How to Eat         

It could be deep-fried, boiled, grilled, or added to soups and stews.

Other Facts        

• The size of 150 cm (59 inch) long and weight up to 25 kg (55 lb.) are rarely found.
• The heaviest Northern pike measures about 147 cm (58 inch) long and weighs 31 kg (68 lb.).
• The longest Northern pike was 152 cm (60 inches) long which weighs 28 kg (62 lb.).
• Northern pike is the state fish of North Dakota.
• They are regarded as ambush predators.
• It could swim upto 8 or 10 miles in an hour.
• Female weighs above 18 pounds.
• The Northern pike that made world record was caught in Germany.
• They do not require nest for its eggs.
• The oldest pike lives upto 25 years in its natural habitat.
• Humans are the predators of adult pike.
• The mouth has a shape of duck bill.
• The largest female pike lays upto 250000-500000 eggs.
• Typically, it reaches to sexual maturity in 3 years.

Precautions 

• The consumption of sea fish if one is trying to reduce inflammatory diseases such as heart disease.
• Farmed ones contain arsenic that leads to arsenic poisoning.
• Seafood should be cooked safely in order to prevent foodborne illness.
• Pregnant women, young children, older adults, people having lower stomach acid and compromised immune systems (HIV/AIDS, liver disease, cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, people taking steroids, chemotherapy, or immune system) are prone to higher risk.
• It might be contaminated with bacteria such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and other bacteria relate to land use, sewage discharges, runoff, etc. These microorganisms occur naturally in warm coastal waters which could cause even death or serious illness in individuals who are at higher risk.
• Listeria monocytogenes could cause a serious foodborne illness known as listeriosis.
• The virus Hepatitis A could survive in light cooking. So one should consume it after being properly cooked.
• Fish could have toxins that could cause illness such as ciguatoxin and scombrotoxin, or histamine poisoning.
• Sea fish is related to Scombrotoxin (histamine) which develops when fish is not kept cold enough. The symptoms develop quickly and also disappear completely within 24 hours.
• The flesh of tropical marine fishes might cause ciguatera poisoning experiencing gastrointestinal maladies that could last for several days, weakness in arms and legs, and reversal inability to differentiate between cold and hot. The symptoms could persist for weeks.
• Farmed seafood results in to increase in inflammation leading to weight gain, arthritis, and heart diseases.
• The imbalance ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 causes heart disease and hypertension.
• Seafood and fish in farms have polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organophosphorus (OPs), organochlorine (OC), trifluralin pesticides, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) causing diseases or even death.
• The seafood has a high content of mercury, which may lead to mercury toxicity.
• Consume it in moderate amounts. So consume it with caution or Avoid consuming it raw.
• Some people might get allergic reactions. So avoid it.
• It has a high chance of contamination.
• One should limit its intake.
• Consult the doctor by pregnant women and children before consuming it. Children and pregnant women should avoid it because the high content of mercury might cause a negative impact on the development of the nervous system of a fetus.
• Seafood or fish have purines in it which is harmful to people having purine-related problems. Excess purines result in an excess buildup of uric acid that could lead to the formation of kidney stones as well as gout.

References

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