Pike vs. Gar: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 20, 2024
Pike are elongated predatory freshwater fish known for their sharp teeth and voracious appetite, whereas gar are ancient fish with long, slender bodies and distinct elongated jaws.
Key Differences
Pike are freshwater fish known for their elongated bodies, sharp teeth, and aggressive predatory behavior. They are found mainly in the Northern Hemisphere and are popular among anglers for their fighting ability. Gar, on the other hand, are ancient fish with long, slender bodies and distinctive elongated jaws filled with needle-like teeth. They are found in North and Central America and have a more primitive appearance compared to pike.
Pike inhabit a variety of freshwater environments, including lakes, rivers, and streams. They prefer clear waters with abundant vegetation where they can ambush their prey. Gar, in contrast, are more often found in slow-moving or stagnant waters like swamps, marshes, and rivers. They have a specialized air bladder that allows them to breathe air, enabling them to survive in low-oxygen waters where pike might struggle.
Pike are primarily ambush predators, relying on their camouflage and burst of speed to catch prey. They feed on smaller fish, amphibians, and occasionally small mammals. Gar also prey on fish and invertebrates but use a different hunting strategy. They often lie motionless near the surface, waiting for prey to come close before striking with their long, toothed jaws.
Pike have a distinctive appearance with a pointed snout, long body, and dark green to brown coloring with light spots. Their fins are positioned towards the back of their body, aiding in their rapid bursts of speed. Gar have an even more unique look, with their elongated bodies covered in hard, diamond-shaped scales and a long snout filled with sharp teeth. Their coloration can vary but often includes dark, mottled patterns that help them blend into their environments.
Comparison Chart
Body Shape
Elongated, cylindrical
Long, slender, more primitive
ADVERTISEMENT
Habitat
Clear lakes, rivers, streams
Slow-moving/stagnant waters, swamps, marshes
Predatory Behavior
Ambush predator
Sit-and-wait predator
Appearance
Pointed snout, dark green/brown with spots
Elongated jaws, diamond-shaped scales, mottled color
Adaptations
Sharp teeth, fast bursts of speed
Air bladder for breathing air
Pike and Gar Definitions
Pike
A freshwater fish known for its elongated body and sharp teeth.
The angler caught a large pike in the northern lake.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gar
Predatory fish that lie in wait for their prey.
Gar use their needle-like teeth to catch passing fish.
Pike
An aggressive predator found in freshwater habitats.
Pike are known to lurk in weedy areas waiting for prey.
Gar
Fish that inhabit slow-moving or stagnant waters.
Gar can often be found in the shallow waters of marshes.
Pike
Fish species popular among anglers for sport fishing.
Pike fishing requires strong tackle due to their fighting strength.
Gar
An ancient fish with a long, slender body and elongated jaws.
The gar's prehistoric appearance makes it unique among fish.
Pike
A long spear formerly used by infantry.
Gar
Fish with hard, diamond-shaped scales.
The gar's scales provide protection from predators.
Pike
A freshwater game and food fish (Esox lucius) of the Northern Hemisphere that has a long snout and attains a length of over 1.2 meters (4 feet). Also called northern pike.
Gar
Any of several fishes of the family Lepisosteidae of fresh and brackish waters of North and Central America and Cuba, having an elongated body and long narrow jaws with sharp teeth. Also called garfish, garpike.
Pike
Any of various fishes closely related to this fish, such as the muskellunge or the pickerels.
Gar
A needlefish.
Pike
Any of various fishes that resemble this fish.
Gar
To cause or compel.
Pike
A turnpike.
Gar
Any of several North American fish of the family Lepisosteidae that have long, narrow jaws.
Pike
A tollgate on a turnpike.
Gar
A garfish, Belone belone.
Pike
A toll paid.
Gar
To make, compel (someone to do something); to cause (something to be done).
Pike
A hill with a pointed summit.
Gar
Any slender marine fish of the genera Belone and Tylosurus. See Garfish.
Pike
A spike or sharp point, as on the tip of a spear.
Gar
To cause; to make.
Pike
A mid-air position in sports such as diving and gymnastics in which the athlete bends to touch the feet or grab the calves or back of the thighs while keeping the legs together and straight.
Gar
Primitive predaceous North American fish covered with hard scales and having long jaws with needle-like teeth
Pike
To attack or pierce with a pike.
Gar
Elongate European surface-dwelling predacious fishes with long toothed jaws; abundant in coastal waters
Pike
To move quickly.
Gar
Species that can breathe air using a specialized bladder.
Gar are capable of surviving in low-oxygen environments.
Pike
A very long spear used two-handed by infantry soldiers for thrusting (not throwing), both for attacks on enemy foot soldiers and as a countermeasure against cavalry assaults.
Pike
A sharp, pointed staff or implement.
Pike
A large dry]] before adding to a haystack.
Pike
Any carnivorous freshwater fish of the genus Esox, especially the northern pike, Esox lucius.
Pike
A position with the knees straight and a tight bend at the hips with the torso folded over the legs, usually part of a jack-knife.
Pike
A pointy extrusion at the toe of a shoe.
Pike
Especially in place names: a hill or mountain, particularly one with a sharp peak or summit.
Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England.
Pike
(obsolete) A pick, a pickaxe.
Pike
A hayfork.
Pike
(historical) A style of shoes with long toes, very popular in Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Pike
A gypsy, itinerant tramp, or traveller from any ethnic background; a pikey.
Pike
(transitive) To prod, attack, or injure someone with a pike.
Pike
To assume a pike position.
Pike
To bet or gamble with only small amounts of money.
Pike
Often followed by on or out: to quit or back out of a promise.
Don’t pike on me like you did last time!
Pike
(intransitive) To equip with a turnpike.
Pike
To depart or travel (as if by a turnpike), especially to flee, to run away.
Pike
A foot soldier's weapon, consisting of a long wooden shaft or staff, with a pointed steel head. It is now superseded by the bayonet.
Pike
A pointed head or spike; esp., one in the center of a shield or target.
Pike
A hayfork.
Pike
A pick.
Pike
A pointed or peaked hill.
Pike
A turnpike; a toll bar.
Pike
A large fresh-water fish (Esox lucius), found in Europe and America, highly valued as a food fish; - called also pickerel, gedd, luce, and jack.
Pike
A broad highway designed for high-speed traffic
Pike
Highly valued northern freshwater fish with lean flesh
Pike
A sharp point (as on the end of a spear)
Pike
Medieval weapon consisting of a spearhead attached to a long pole or pikestaff; superseded by the bayonet
Pike
Any of several elongate long-snouted freshwater game and food fishes widely distributed in cooler parts of the northern hemisphere
Pike
Fish characterized by their fast burst of speed when hunting.
The pike darted out from the vegetation and caught the smaller fish.
Pike
Species with a green to brown body and light spots.
The pike's coloration helps it blend into its surroundings.
FAQs
Where are pike commonly found?
Pike are commonly found in clear lakes, rivers, and streams in the Northern Hemisphere.
What do gar look like?
Gar have elongated bodies, diamond-shaped scales, and long snouts with sharp teeth.
How do pike hunt?
Pike are ambush predators that use their camouflage and burst of speed to catch prey.
How do gar hunt?
Gar often lie motionless near the surface and strike with their long, toothed jaws when prey comes close.
What is the primary habitat of pike?
Pike prefer clear waters with abundant vegetation.
What is a pike?
A pike is a freshwater fish known for its elongated body, sharp teeth, and predatory behavior.
Can gar breathe air?
Yes, gar have a specialized air bladder that allows them to breathe air.
Are pike popular among anglers?
Yes, pike are popular for sport fishing due to their aggressive nature and fighting ability.
How do gar's physical features aid in hunting?
Gar's elongated jaws and sharp teeth help them catch prey efficiently.
What is a gar?
A gar is an ancient fish with a long, slender body, elongated jaws, and hard, diamond-shaped scales.
Where are gar commonly found?
Gar are found in slow-moving or stagnant waters like swamps, marshes, and rivers in North and Central America.
What do pike look like?
Pike have a pointed snout, a long body, and are usually dark green to brown with light spots.
Are gar considered ancient fish?
Yes, gar are often referred to as living fossils due to their primitive features.
Do pike have a specific coloration?
Yes, pike are usually dark green to brown with light spots that help them blend into their environment.
How do pike's physical features aid in hunting?
Pike's sharp teeth and fast bursts of speed help them catch prey.
Do pike and gar coexist in the same environments?
Occasionally, but they generally prefer different types of water habitats.
What adaptations do gar have for survival?
Gar have an air bladder for breathing air and hard scales for protection.
What is the primary habitat of gar?
Gar prefer slow-moving or stagnant waters.
What adaptations do pike have for survival?
Pike have sharp teeth and can swim quickly to catch prey.
How do pike's feeding habits differ from gar's?
Pike actively hunt by ambush, while gar often lie in wait for prey.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
