Is northern pike vegan?

Northern pike is a species of carnivorous freshwater fish, scientifically known as Esox lucius, native to the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is obtained through commercial fisheries, sport fishing, or aquaculture. The fish is processed by scaling, gutting, and filleting, or by mincing the flesh for use in prepared foods. On commercial food labels, northern pike typically appears in fresh or frozen fillets, canned seafood, smoked fish products, fish cakes, gefilte fish, soups, stocks, and select pet foods.

Northern pike is not vegan because it comes directly from an animal. The ingredient consists entirely of the muscle tissue or body parts of a living aquatic vertebrate. Because vegan standards exclude all forms of animal flesh, including fish and marine life, any food item containing northern pike is classified as non-vegan.