What fish are related with the Northern Pike?

Northern Pike is related to several fish species within the Esocidae family, which includes a variety of pikes, muskellunges, and pickerels. Here are some of the closely related fish species:

- Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy): Commonly referred to as Muskies, they share many similarities with Northern Pike and can co-exist in some regions.

- Chain pickerel (Esox niger): Also known as grass pikes or jackfish, chain pickerels are smaller in size compared to Northern Pike and have distinctive markings.

- Redfin pickerel (Esox americanus amercanus): These pickerels have a reddish coloration on their fins, giving them their name. They are found in eastern North America.

- American pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus): Another subspecies of pickerel found in some regions of North America.

- Spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus): While gars belong to a different family, they are distantly related to pikes and share similar predatory behavior.

- Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula): A much larger species of gar that inhabits some rivers in North America.

- Longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus): A slender gar species found along coastal regions of North America.

These fish species are all known for their elongated, cylindrical bodies, large mouths with sharp teeth, and predatory behavior. They play important ecological roles in various aquatic ecosystems as top predators.