Reproduction of pike: gametogenesis, gamete biology and early development

Abstract

Pike, Esox lucius, is a well-studied fish species and general observations on its biology were published early in this century (reviews: Toner, 1966; Toner and Lawler, 1969). Until the 1960s most investigations were devoted to wild populations and their management. More recently there has been increasing interest in pike culture (Chapter 9). Information on reproduction is reported in some conference proceedings (Dubé and Gravel, 1979; Billard, 1983a, 1985) and in monographs or general papers (Huet, 1976; Steffens, 1976; Souchon, 1977; Montalembert et al., 1978a; Pouvreau, 1980; Marcel, 1981; Louche, 1985). Details are also given in textbooks on pike culture (Schäperclaus, 1962; Arrignon, 1976; Piper et al., 1982; Huet, 1986; Westers, 1986). This chapter reviews data on reproduction, especially in the pike, with some references to other Esox species on the North American and Asian continents. Limited information is available on puberty and gametogenesis and no consistent work is known on endocrinology. Several studies have been carried out on the final stages of gametogenesis, spermiation, oocyte maturation—ovulation and on gamete biology, mostly for the purpose of induced spawning and artificial reproduction.