Red Pike

[Dominuslive]

I found a store about 50 miles away, has a red pike for 10 bucks. Any thoughts??? How many red pikes are there, A, T are the ones IK of from here so far. Well I will find out tomorrow plz give some info. Thanks to the Peanut Gallery. (Peant power-pike master-Peanuts forum........ U get it, right)




<<<<<<@least I am no longer a fathead minnow.......

[Peanut_Power]

Crenicichla johanna is normally sold as Red Pike or Rainbow pike...;). They are a Lugubris group pike, get about 14" max....fairly aggressive but not horribly so. There are several color variants, from brown, to rainbow, to hot pink stripes...very kewl pikes. They are pretty common and are a great pike. Its a great price...;). OR you could go on Aquabid.com and get the PAIR of johanna that Ken from FishFarmUSA has for sale....;).

[Dominuslive]

Hmmm, considering my tank size, am kinda leary about lugu's. As juvy's would be kewl, but might have to start getting some for you Peanut. Oh and btw, watch out for those mild wind storms down there:wall:








69 BUDDY

[Peanut_Power]

Hmmm, considering my tank size, am kinda leary about lugu's. As juvy's would be kewl, but might have to start getting some for you Peanut. Oh and btw, watch out for those mild wind storms down there:wall:








69 BUDDY

You have a 125 correct? If so than you could practically keep any species of pike you wanted...as a normal 125 is plenty large enough....;). Lugubris, whatever...;). You could even still have other cichlids in there with them! Yay

About the storms, yeah, its a joke down here....haha. Compared to Nebraska this weather is pathetic...:P

[Peanut_Power]

Hmmm, considering my tank size, am kinda leary about lugu's. As juvy's would be kewl, but might have to start getting some for you Peanut. Oh and btw, watch out for those mild wind storms down there:wall:








69 BUDDY

You have a 125 correct? If so than you could practically keep any species of pike you wanted...as a normal 125 is plenty large enough....;). Lugubris, whatever...;). You could even still have other cichlids in there with them! Yay

About the storms, yeah, its a joke down here....haha. Compared to Nebraska this weather is pathetic...Magan was amazed that we got SNOW...haha

[Dominuslive]

Not A 125, a 120. 60x18x26. volume wasn't the concern really, but distance from one end to the other, plus surface area. How well would the Johanna get along with a Heros Severum?

[Dominuslive]

:headbang2 I got the Johanna, sure very common, but my first.....pike virgin, hehe. Will post pics as soon as Jojo is acclimated and not hiding. About 3", and nice and healthy. Ate 6 feeder guppies at the store.

[Peanut_Power]

Awesome man!! Thats totally kickin that you got him/her. Keep up on your water changes, pikes are relatively sensative when they are small till they are about 4". Severums, jags, JD, green terrors, red terrors, festivum, Satanoperca (not geophagus), Chocolates, Hoplarchus psittacus, Paratheraps (used to be Vieja's) are just a FEW options you could keep with your newly aquired pike!! :D Get them around the same size, maybe an inch or so larger as long as they aren't predatory and you should be fine. The johanna is the first fish in the tank anyway right? So you got tons of options. Only problem is that you added the pike first, so addin other fish might be a challenge as the pike will investigate EVERY new thing you add....sometimes with its mouth. Pay attention to aggression. There will be some for the first few minutes/hours...if it doesn't get better in a couple days remove the problem fish and try again! Congrats man!! I'm sorry, but your forever going to be addicted to pike cichlids. They are awesome fish, unique in every aspect! Gonna get a kick outa watchin it! More fish you have in there the more it will interact and be out in the open!! Don't add any more pikes yet though, and if you do, make sure you add them in groups if you do or you will have hella aggression problems.

Also, try to stay away from live foods. Pikes are very greedy, rarely will they allow themselves to starve to death. If it doesn't eat for a few days its totally alright. Really easy to get them onto prepared foods like frozen mysis, pellets, blood worms, and so on. Just be patient. Again, congrats! Your a member of the pike-a-holics club! woot!

[Dominuslive]

I was going to get electric blue JD, awesome looking. Only problem was $65, can't do that this week...... I also thought about heros severum, but where I got him they were good size, just wasn't sure about it. And the ones here in town are babies, about 2 " Wouldn't they grow slower then the pike, and become pike fodder rather soon??? I also like the green terrors, but not sure. No he/she was not the first in the tank, Neons, glowlights and a few cory cats, all about $1 each. There are a few Angels as well, angels much to large for him, but they are going to another tank.

[Peanut_Power]

Yeah don't get a electric blue dempsey, too much of a risk, they do grow slow and it gettin badgered is a potential that wouldn't make you very happy.

[Dominuslive]

:swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: , Good now that I got that out of my system. My MH lighting on my 120 went out, the balast. So there will be no pics available of my Jojo until I get the new lights on thursday. will be standard lights, which end up about $100 cheaper then a new ballast.:swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :duh: :duh: :duh: :duh: :duh:

[Peanut_Power]

Don't need high lighting unless you are gonna do plants, and even then if you don't do hard core planting high lights aren't nesseccary. So your should be fine with just 'regular' lighting bro. I don't have any lightin on any of my tankz....right now anyway. They are in a sun room....i only have two tanks runnin right now that are 'mine'. Magans tank has a compact fluorescent on it, which is what you should use....for fresh water anyway...;). Cooler and more output, lower energy and all that stuff than regular lights.

[Dominuslive]

Don't need high lighting unless you are gonna do plants, and even then if you don't do hard core planting high lights aren't nesseccary. So your should be fine with just 'regular' lighting bro. I don't have any lightin on any of my tankz....right now anyway. They are in a sun room....i only have two tanks runnin right now that are 'mine'. Magans tank has a compact fluorescent on it, which is what you should use....for fresh water anyway...;). Cooler and more output, lower energy and all that stuff than regular lights.


Right, but the halides are for tanks deeper then 24", even pc do not do much good for a 26" deep tank, unless all of you plants are near the surface. But I decided to trade in the Halides any way, concentrating on Johanna's happiness. And since I have gotten him/her, Jojo (name till sexing size) has gotten alot happier looking. Doesn't look all dark and drab. It was kept in a 10 gal with abunck of other predators. IDK what kind they were, will try to find them. Now though, Jojo is kept in a 120 with lots of wood and rocks, and minimal light right now. So true colors will be seen on thursday when I get the new lights. It will be an 80 watt system. I am happy about that for 2 reasons, 1 It is no longer 90 in my room with the lights on, 2 eveporation will not be 5 gal a day. BTW I keep the 120 in my room because the reef is in the living room, and it too has MH lighting.

[Peanut_Power]

Yeah, I don't like my tanks any deeper than 24"....thats plenty enough! haha. For fish though don't really need bright lighting. Actually the dimmer lighting makes some species feel more comfortable.

[Dominuslive]

Yeah, Jojo is quite happy, has already ate most of the ghost shrimp, and 4 rosies. BTW What would be the best flow rate for the filtration, currently have the Rena xp3, rated for 175 gal, flow rate of 350 per hour.

[Peanut_Power]

I had a Rena XP III as well on my 125, regular size tank. The spray bar doesn't provide enough circulation and I would get a film on my waters surface so i had to change it to the jet nozzle. I suggest you do the same. Angle it slightly downwards so you can get the most effective circulation possible. I had to add another powerhead because I just didn't feel like there was enough circulation and the fish weren't gettin enough oxygen. Its your call, but I do suggest addin a power head at the opposite end of the tank if possible...;).

[Dominuslive]

Yeah, I was getting the film to, so I got a surface skimmer. Ironically, it allows to much air into the canister. What size powerhead do you recommend?

[Peanut_Power]

If there is air gettin into the filter make sure your intake is completely under water, that means all the those little connectors. Make sure all the joints are tightly pushed together and that the joints are all submerged. I know when the joints on mine got outa the water it would start sucking air...;).

The powerhead doesn't have to be too big. Here are some I found on www.aquabid.com that are cheap and more than enough! ;)


http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?waterpumps&

OR you could just put on another filter...never can have enough...;)

http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?filteration&1151506201

[Dominuslive]

The surface skimmer has a floating head to st at the top. Once I figure out how to get the skimmer to stay where I want it to, should be no problem. What is the gph you reccomend for a Johanna?

[Peanut_Power]

Not the johanna...for the tank. You want to keep the water CLEAN, oxygenated, and clean. Crenicichla, especially the Lugubris group pikes, can get HITH easily...so the cleaner the better.

[Chad55]

If you had a ? for peanut power why didn't you just PM him.

Chad

[Dominuslive]

I do like a variety of opinions. Everyone that has crenicichla can give examples of what they use and have succeeded with. I would like to here yours, as well as Peanuts, opinions, so far he has been the only one to voice what I should do though.:Pikachu:

[Peanut_Power]

If you had a ? for peanut power why didn't you just PM him.

Chad

I don't think it really matters where its done, some people want it to be public, others private, no biggy to me. All that matters is that its gettin answered...;)

[Chad55]

I wasn't trying to be a jerk or anything I was just saying I thought it was silly to post it publicly and then ask for only peanuts opinion. But other than that I used to have a johanna with a large sev and they did fine together. Now that sev is with a sveni and everything is going great. So sevs IMO are great tankmates for pikes.

Chad

[Peanut_Power]

Aye, sevs. are great tankmates for pikes. Get large, are deep bodies, and are peaceful...more or less. There are tons of variants out there as well...;)

[Dominuslive]

Great, then Sevs it is, How many does everyone feel is appropriat in a 120? Also how fast do they grow?

[Peanut_Power]

How full do you want the tank? Sevs. aren't your only option though, just one of the many actually.

You could put several in there, many diff. types of species. If you want your common ones go to the LFS around you, if you want the rarer, more attractive ones go to either www.aquabid.com or www.tangledupincichlids.com

Heros. rotkeil or however you spell it is my fav...they have a red neck and look awesome as adults....;)

They will generally grow slower than the pike, but since they are deep bodied it won't be an issue...;)

[Chad55]

If your doing sevs only with one pike. (Which I think would look awsome) I would mix it up and put all different kinds in there. I think 3-4 would be appropriate. I would do 4 though because the possiblilty of getting a pair and if you got a pair then you will have more then one odd man out and not as much agression. Also they do not grow the fastest. I would do like 4" sevs with your pike. They should keep up with him then.

Chad

[Dominuslive]

Hey guys, the reason I asked GPH recommended for the Johanna is because I have been studying Discus, and they require 1 - 2 cycles per hour. Compared to marine which is 10 - 20 cycles per hour depending on corals. For the Johanna should I run 4 -5, or even greater? Also, the sevs, you guys recommend only 3-4? Are they large waste producers?
I still plan on 50% water change once a week, if not twice. I just feel that 3-4 is odd, 5 for shoaling fish is what I am used to, makes them feel more comfy, plus helps spread out tension. I have so many ?'s, are there any books on crenicichla, or r u guys they only way to really find any info?

[katycichlid]

Severums are great fish....lot of character and decent amount of backbone for a slow moving fish. If you want to spice it up a little, the turquoise and rotkeil varieties are really pretty. They are not real easy to find in LFS's but you see them frequently on the internet. I have had a lot severums and you really have to watch "hard water" because fin fraying is pretty common--at least my experience. Get the bloodworms ready--they love them as well as ghost shrimp if they can catch up to them.

[Chad55]

I think if you want you could get away with 5. Just watch it as they grow you may find the tank to be a little overstocked. But this also depends on the fish's full size. With severums this seems to vary soooo much. I have heard people talking about 12" sevs and alot of people say thiers max out at 5". Personally I have one that is 8". Also my personal fav are the rotekiel (Sp?) and the gold (cuz thats what I got). Good luck and can't wait to see pics.

Chad

[Dominuslive]

That defiinately explains why you said only 3 - 4 Chad. I have never seen one bigger then 6", but they were also in a 55, and probably only fed flake. My research has also only shown them to get to 8", But if they can get to 12", that can definately overstock a tank in a quickness. Probably though only the Dominant Severm would get to 12", the rest would stay smaller. But still, I buy fish considering their max size. Can you guys think of any other FULL-BODIED fish that max out at around 8" that is great for the Johanna?


Here is a link to a site I have found most usfull for all of my Marine endeavors. They have lots of fresh, but for purposes this is direct to Heros Severus
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/severums.htm

[Chad55]

It would be highly unlikley that your severum would get to 12". That is in very rare ocassions that they get that large and I have only heard of it a couple times. I think that you would be fine with the sevs. You can always part with some as they grow if you start seeing that you cannot keep up with the mantainence.

Chad

[Dominuslive]

I am thinking of Rotkiels from Rapps, but IDk about fish online. I see that evryone gives him props, but shipping to my house would be 85 bucks. If I am spending that much on shipping, I would prefer it be on a rare pike;)

[Peanut_Power]

I am thinking of Rotkiels from Rapps, but IDk about fish online. I see that evryone gives him props, but shipping to my house would be 85 bucks. If I am spending that much on shipping, I would prefer it be on a rare pike;)

I had to pay the same every time as well man...;). Get more fish to save on shipping...;). Or find someone to go in on a group order with you so you can split shipping. Plus, the more you spend the more of a discount you get with Rapps. Having two people its easier to reach that. I do suggest Rapps, got some great fish. His rotkeil are PIMP!! get three of them and one Hoplarchus psittacus....trust me on this, they are TOTALLY awesome. They are my fav. cichlid next to pikes!! ;)

[Chad55]

If that is what you end up doin that is gunna be one KICK A$$ tank.:headbang2 :headbang2 Hope we get to see some pictures soon.

Chad

[Dominuslive]

LOL, I saw your pic of the Brazilian Parrot, and I wanted it PP, and I saw it on Rapps sheet as well. Again, another fish with little info on......... o you guys know of neone else in Iowa on here??? And Chad I agree, it would be one kick a** tank if I get those fishes. Can always get another tank...............:grinyes: :headbang2 :naughty:

[Peanut_Power]

LOL, I saw your pic of the Brazilian Parrot, and I wanted it PP, and I saw it on Rapps sheet as well. Again, another fish with little info on......... o you guys know of neone else in Iowa on here??? And Chad I agree, it would be one kick a** tank if I get those fishes. Can always get another tank...............:grinyes: :headbang2 :naughty:


Ones on Rapps sheet are VENEZUELAN....;).....Brazilian are a lot better in my opinion! Venz. are totally pimpin as well though...but Brazilians are much more expensive...:D

Do an Iowa search or sumptin. Rottbo is an Iowanite....a couple other members as well...;)

[Dominuslive]

Thanks for Rottbo's name, contacted him. I have been trying to post pics but it wants a url. I don't have a website..........ARGGGHHHHHHHH! Also when I first got my crenicichla, it looked exactly like the Johanna pictured in Mostly cichlids, the Juvy. Now it is starting to look like the Vene juvy. Could someone post the pics of the caudual fins of both species????? It might help me tremedously. Salt water is soooooo much easier in identification.

[Chad55]

Try using www.imageshack.us to post your pics.

Chad