Influence of Appearance of Prey and Satiation of Predator on Food Selection by Northern Pike (Esox lucius)

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Abstract
Northern pike (Esox lucius) were put in tanks with fantail and regular-tail goldfish (Carassius auratus) or with goldfish of different colors. Physical appearance of prey did not affect the pike’s feeding. In experiments in plastic pools four species of fish were exposed to predation by northern pike that were satiated or deprived of food for either 2 or 4 weeks. The pike always selected carp (Cyprinus carpio) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) over green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) and bluegill (L. macrochirus).