Silverpike

One of these days, I'll have to see these silverpike you're always talking about.

Egwene al'Vere, Amyrlin Seat (to Siuan Sanche)

One of these days, I'll have to see these silverpike you're always talking about.
— Egwene al'Vere, Amyrlin Seat (to Siuan Sanche)

The silverpike is likely based on the barracuda

Silverpike is a fish often mentioned by Siuan Sanche in her fish-related sayings and puns. They travel in schools. Because of the density of fish, being caught in such a school outside of a boat can be very troublesome. Siuan Sanche, and other Tairens, often mention silverpike as dangerous.

List of Mentions

There are a total of twenty-four distinct references to silverpike in the books. They are mentioned by Siuan Sanche, Juilin Sandar, Ailhuin Guenna and Androl Genhald:

Quote	Mentioned by	Book	Ch.
spawning like silverpike (in reference to the number of babies being born near Dragonmount)	Siuan Sanche	0	5
It was as easy as falling off a boat. Into a school of silverpike.	Siuan Sanche	0	10
Well. Maybe we can be silverpike in the nets instead of grunters. Just remember silverpike go to the fishmarket, too.	Siuan Sanche	0	23
Verin, you are worrying about a lionfish out in the Sea of Storms, while here and now the silverpike are chewing our nets to shreds.	Siuan Sanche	3	12
When there are fish heads and blood in the water, you don’t need to see the silverpike to know they are there.	Siuan Sanche	3	13
It must bite at their souls like a bellyful of live silverpike, and no more than they deserve.	Siuan Sanche	3	29
If I could tell the weather; I’d sooner stick live silverpike down my dress than admit it.	Ailhuin Guenna	3	48
Silverpike in the reeds, waiting for a hint of Aes Sedai blood in the water. But we’ve showed them none yet, nor will we, if I can help it.	Siuan Sanche	4	1
If I knew who was more reliable than a silverpike, I’d not have the problems I do.	Siuan Sanche	4	17
But, if you will forgive me, the last time I served you was in the company of Mat Cauthon, when we pulled you both out of the water before the silverpike could get you.	Juilin Sandar	4	20
I swear, one day I will feed that woman to the silverpike!	Siuan Sanche	4	47
From a distance-I am not fool enough to wade into a school of silverpike-but I cannot believe there is another Domani woman besides Jeaine Caide in all of Tarabon.	Juilin Sandar	4	51
She would rather wade naked through a school of silverpike than have these women realize that she was trying to manipulate them.	Siuan Sanche	5	28
Samara’s a school of silverpike around a chunk of bloody meat.	Juilin Sandar	5	47
I'm trying to balance a live silverpike on my nose, girl.	Siuan Sanche	6	0
They made a very bad mistake, didn't they? Of course, I made it first. The plump little'grunter for the table turns out to be a live silverpike as long as your leg.	Siuan Sanche	6	38
I'd as soon jump into a school of feeding silverpike as help that man escape if it were up to me.	Siuan Sanche	6	52
The Black Ajah. That's what chills your blood like a silverpike up your skirts!	Siuan Sanche	7	9
Juilin said if there were Aes Sedai in the village and they learned Nynaeve and Elayne had been pretending to be Aes Sedai, then we were all jumping into a school of silverpike, which I take it isn't very safe.	Juilin Sandar	7	10
You can’t delay much longer, or we’ll find ourselves wading through a school of silverpike. (Egwene also makes the reply quoted at the top of the page)	Siuan Sanche	10	18
If we try a rescue, Aes Sedai will die at the hands of Aes Sedai, sure as silverpike spawn in the reeds.	Siuan Sanche	11	1
Some days, she felt that she was trying to juggle buttered live silverpike...Buttered silverpike! Buttered, flaming silverpike!	Siuan Sanche	12	8
Wishing for things to bedifferent was about as useful as wishing the silverpike you'd caught was a fangfish instead. You sold what you had and were happy for any kind of catch at all.	Siuan Sanche	12	40
It started when I lost a friend to the fevers during a silverpike run out of Mayene.	Androl Genhald	14	4

Book 0 is New Spring and chapter 0 is a prologue

Origin

While a Silver pike is the name of a fish in real life (also known as the Northern pike), this is likely not the source Robert Jordan used. Instead, they are more likely to be based on Barracuda, possibly the Great barracuda in specific. The similarities are as follows:

• Reference made to silverpike teeth seem more analogous to the nasty teeth of the barracuda.
• They can be found in reeds/mangrove in tropical regions, especially the young.
• They are attracted by blood.
• They have a reputation of being dangerous to humans
• They are found in schools.
• Their size at maturity matches Siuan's "size of your leg" description

Several of these are not true for the fish named silver pike in real life.