R.I.P. "Beast"

This 60-second video clip demonstrates not only how hardwired northern pike are to be voracious predators, it also shows how one 8" fish can quickly capture the imagination -- not only of a high school student, but really . . . of anyone who is willing to marvel at this amazing creature's innate ability to hunt and grow.

The fish recorded here was affectionately called "Beast" in the TPS lab. At the time of this filming, it was just 10 weeks old. Isolated for its proclivity to eat its neighbor (even if it was the same species), Beast's aggression and appetite ultimately became its downfall. Record-setting heat late last week coupled with too many emerald shiners in the tank (going belly-up before they were all eaten) led the water to sour. It was a loss for the lab, but taught yet another lesson.

A handful of fingerlings were held back from the release earlier this week. As surrogate "parents" for the summer months, my kids and I will house them in our basement. The tank was set up last evening. The goal will be to keep at least a couple pike alive and grow them as much as possible until they can be returned to the TPS students next fall. The biggest challenge will be keeping them well-fed enough that they don't eat each other! Something tells me my 10-year-old son is up to the challenge.