Editing Muskellunge (section)

==Behavior==
[[File:Muskellunge USFWS.jpg|thumb|250px|Illustration of a Muskellunge]]
Muskellunge are sometimes [[gregarious]], forming small [[Shoaling and schooling|schools]] in distinct territories. Muskellunge feeding behavior is directly synchronized with the lunar cycle. During both full and new moons, an increase in feeding activity can be attributed to the increase of moonlight, as it most similarly simulates daytime feeding.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Vinson |first1=Mark R. |last2=Angradi |first2=Ted R. |title=Muskie Lunacy: Does the Lunar Cycle Influence Angler Catch of Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)? |journal=PLOS ONE |date=28 May 2014 |volume=9 |issue=5 |pages=e98046 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0098046 |doi-access=free |pmid=24871329 |pmc=4037224 |bibcode=2014PLoSO...998046V |issn=1932-6203}}</ref> They spawn in mid- to late spring, somewhat later than northern pike, over shallow, vegetated areas. A rock or sand bottom is preferred for spawning so the eggs do not sink into the mud and suffocate. The males arrive first and attempt to establish dominance over a territory. Spawning may last from five to 10 days and occurs mainly at night. The eggs are negatively buoyant and slightly adhesive; they adhere to plants and the bottom of the lake. Soon afterward, they are abandoned by the adults. Those [[embryo]]s which are not eaten by fish, insects, or crayfish hatch within two weeks. The larvae live on [[Egg (biology)#Fish eggs|yolk]] until the mouth is fully developed, when they begin to feed on [[copepod]]s and other [[zooplankton]]. They soon begin to prey upon fish. Juveniles generally attain a length of {{convert|12|in|cm|abbr=in|order=flip}} by November of their first year.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}