Grass Pickerel
As you saunter for a casual afternoon walk alongside slow moving streams, near ponds or by shallow bays of lakes, you may stumble upon the intriguing grass pickerel fish species. They have a large preference for clear water and wealth of vegetation. They feed mostly on other smaller fish but have interestingly been found to additionally chow down on some invertebrate species like crayfish or our friend the frog. Females have the advantage of faster growth and longer life span than the males. They have long snouts enabling for a rapid sneaky catch of their unsuspecting prey. They are often less than the length of your average 30 cm ruler. They are currently classified as a species of special concern.
Interesting Fact: Grass Pickerel exert no parental care! Their eggs are disseminated through their aquatic habitat.
Sources:
1Grass Pickerel. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2015, from
http://www.ontario.ca/page/grass-pickerel
2Grass Pickerel. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2015, from
http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/grass-pickerel
3Ohio.gov / search. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2015, from
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/species-guide-index/fish/grass-pickerel
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| Juvenile Grass Pickerel 3 |
Hi, Emily. Interesting blog. I have a question: What does it mean to be classified as a species of special concern? Is that very close to being considered endangered?
ReplyDeleteHi Giulia,
DeleteYou are correct, a species of special concern, although not classified as being endangered quiet yet, has a high likelihood of reaching that level should environmental changes not be made. To be classed as 'special concern' a species can have either a low population level, a restricted habitat that prevents it from being able to occupy other niches, or it is being unregulated (by a variety of potential factors) at a rate higher than it is being reproduced.