Morphology Data of Esox lucius
Identification keys
Main Ref. Morrow, J.E., 1980
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase Skull, Spine

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral elongated
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Diagnosis

Diagnosed from all other freshwater fishes in Europe by the combination of the following characters: long snout; large mouth; dorsal fin origin slightly in front of anal origin; and lateral line with 105-148 scales (Ref. 59043). Distinguished by its long, flat, 'duck-bill' snout; its large mouth with many large, sharp teeth; and the rearward position of its dorsal and anal fins (Ref. 27547). Gill rakers present only as patches of sharp teeth on gill arches; lateral line notched posteriorly (Ref. 27547). Dorsal located far to the rear; anal located under and arising a little behind dorsal; pectorals low on body, base under opercle; pelvic fins low on body; paired fins rounded, paddle-shaped (Ref. 27547). Caudal fin with 19 rays (Ref. 2196).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Esox lucius

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 105 - 148
Pored lateral line scales 55 - 65
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line 12 - 14
Scale rows below lateral line 14 - 17
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total 57 - 65

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0 - 0
Ventral  0 - 0
Spines total
Soft-rays total 17 - 25
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes forked; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total
Soft-rays total 10 - 22

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     0
Soft-rays   14 - 17
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  before origin of D1
Spines     0
Soft-rays   9 - 11
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
Entered by Garilao, Cristina V.
Modified by Capuli, Estelita Emily
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cfm script by eagbayani, 17.10.00, php script by rolavides, 13/03/08 ,  last modified by sortiz, 06.27.17