Any of five species of fishes which compose the family Esocidae in the order Esociformes, known by a variety of names such as pickerel and muskellunge. These fishes are voracious predators with an elongated beaklike snout and sharp teeth. The head is partly scaled and the body is covered with cycloid scales that have deeply scalloped edges. The body is cylindrical and compressed; thus, these fishes are well adapted for rapid movements as they dart after prey. They prey upon each other, as well as other fishes, amphibians, small aquatic birds and mammals, and rats. All species are edible but are considered second-rate game fishes.