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Another ID question

Posted: May 12th, 2016, 9:01 am
by Noah M
Taken from a slow moving stream. I ran my dipnet along a fallen log on the edge of the stream got this one. It is 2"-3" long.

Liberty County, FL
Image

Re: Another ID question

Posted: May 13th, 2016, 8:01 pm
by ackee
A Grass Pickerel, Esox americanus vermiculatus. A smallish pickerel, common in small streams, bogs, etc. They are common here in NJ, especially is slow moving Pine Barrens streams. Found all the way down to Florida. Unlike the very similar Red Fin Pickerel, no reddish fins and bars are wider. They are ambush predators, holding still in the water like a stick on the surface, then a rapid strike.

It's possible this is a very young Red Fin Pickerel (Esox americanus americanus) that has not yet colored up, but it looks to me more like a E.vermiculatus. They are very closely related.

Re: Another ID question

Posted: May 23rd, 2016, 6:48 am
by Noah M
Thanks for the info! Very much appreciated.