Bony Pike

Bony Pike (Lepidosteus), also called GARPIKE and GAR-FISH (distinct from the other Garfish, q.v.), a genus of Ganoid fishes, found in widely distributed fossil form as early as Tertiary times, and still surviving in temperate America and Cuba. The fish measures at full size towards 5 feet in length, and is covered with a complete mail of lozenge-shaped enamelled and bony scales. The outer enamel layer is bright and glistening. The general colour is brownish-yellow or greenish with darker markings. The skeleton is completely bony, the vertebrae (like those of salamanders) convex in front and concave behind, the fins with accessory pieces known as 'fulcra,' the dorsal and anal composed wholly of jointed rays, and situated far back. The snout is long and narrow, the mouth opening wide, the upper lip protruding beyond the lower, the dentition very well developed, with large catching and numerous small conical teeth arranged in rows. The paired fins are unlobed; the tail is markedly unsymmetrical (heterocercal). There are no spiracles, but accessory gills on the hyoid bones. The undivided air-bladder is hng-like, opens into the gullet, and receives blood-vessels from the aorta. The dilated muscular chamber in front of the heart has eight transverse rows of valves. The bony pike or gar-fish lives in rapid rivers, swims with great force, has great flexibility in the neck region, and preys voraciously on other fishes. Formerly more widely distributed, it is now found in the fresh waters of North Central America and Cuba. Many species have been distinguished, but Günther only recognises three—L. viridis, L. platystomus, and the commonest L. ossens. The genus occurs as such in Tertiary strata, and is represented in earlier times by many forms (Lepidotidæ, &c.). The flesh of the bony pike is esteemed for food. See GANOIDS.