With a maximum depth of 2 metres, the pond opposite is teeming with fish. A dozen species live here all the time. They are the joy of anglers from the Amiens Anglers Union. This local organisation manages recreational fishing activities and takes an active part in managing the common marsh.
Fish are cold-blooded, so their activity depends on the temperature of the water which in turn conditions their body temperature. When the water is cold, fish swim in slow motion at the bottom or among the vegetation. Then as it warms up, they become more active, feeding and reproducing. They lay their eggs so that the fry can hatch and grow when the food is abundant (in summer).
The lord of the pond is definitely the pike. This effective predator can grow to more than 1.2 metres and has a jaw with 700 teeth, choosing its prey according to opportunity. Young pike catch small fish and insects, while large adults can attack ducklings and even rats. They deposit their eggs on the grass in flooded meadows. Unfortunately there are ever fewer such natural habitats.
Another typical fish here, the carp, can also grow very large, and is what attracts anglers. They come fishing at both day and night, often using sophisticated tackle. Carp are fearful, and as a result can be difficult to catch. Once an angler has captured one, they weigh it, take a photograph then release it. They can live for a long time (over 10 years) and as fish continue to grow throughout their lives, they can reach a weight of over 40 kilos.
The species to be found here Common carp / Cyprinus carpio Average adult size: 70 cm Average weight: 15 kg Roach / Rutilus rutilus Average adult height: 35 cm Average weight: 1 to 2 kg Common bream / Abramis brama Average adult height: 30 to 50 cm Average weight: 2 to 3 kg Tench / Tinca tinca Average adult height: 30 cm Average weight: 1 kg Pike / Esox lucius Average adult height: 50 to 100 cm Average weight: 10 kg Perch / Perca fluviatilis Average adult size: 25 cm Average weight: 200 to 500 g
MARSHLAND KID
Chés pichons in love
"In the spring the ponds swarm with fish. They go crazy, they get together, rubbing each other and beating their tails. So, with my friends, we try to fish them. The other day, Joseph, the Fishery Officer, came along. He got pretty mad, took our fishing rods and lectured us, because angling is prohibited during mating season. He explained how the males dance and brush against the females to encourage them to lay eggs. They deposit hundreds of eggs on the roots of plants, then the males come to deposit their seed. About ten days later, the fry hatch and start to grow."