cobra pike questions..
- Thread starter kido
- Start date
Well well well......gettin a cobra eh? 
Way to be!! They are indeed very pimp pikes! Here are a few pictures of them. The first two are of their juv. coloration, next one is of the subadult, and the last picture if of an ADULT female.....
. Males are less colorful than the female but are still headturners for sure. Unfortunately they don't keep the subadult coloration, but I think the adult colors more than make up for it!
Crenicichla sp. 'cobra' get up to at least 14"....but its possible that they can get larger than that. Its hard to tell with Lugubris pikes, because most people don't keep them long enough to reach their potential adult size. As a general rule though, most Lugubris pikes reach AT least 12"
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Pikes are a hit and miss when it comes to keepin them with other tank mates. They will either tolerate them, live peacefully with them, or tear the living hell outa them. Generally speakin though they are compatable with most cichlids, as long as it doesn't look like another pike. If you have a pair of pikes, they get along rather nicely. If your tank is large enough, say 300gal or more, you can even try keepin several pairs of different species of pikes. Pikes are aggressive though, and are able to hold their own against many cichlids. For instance, i have my 'strigata/xingu II' (not sure which one they are) in with 4 Hoplarchus psittacus, 2 H. temporalis, and 1 Amp. festae....and they are doing just fine.
Way to be!! They are indeed very pimp pikes! Here are a few pictures of them. The first two are of their juv. coloration, next one is of the subadult, and the last picture if of an ADULT female...... Males are less colorful than the female but are still headturners for sure. Unfortunately they don't keep the subadult coloration, but I think the adult colors more than make up for it! Crenicichla sp. 'cobra' get up to at least 14"....but its possible that they can get larger than that. Its hard to tell with Lugubris pikes, because most people don't keep them long enough to reach their potential adult size. As a general rule though, most Lugubris pikes reach AT least 12"
. Pikes are a hit and miss when it comes to keepin them with other tank mates. They will either tolerate them, live peacefully with them, or tear the living hell outa them. Generally speakin though they are compatable with most cichlids, as long as it doesn't look like another pike. If you have a pair of pikes, they get along rather nicely. If your tank is large enough, say 300gal or more, you can even try keepin several pairs of different species of pikes. Pikes are aggressive though, and are able to hold their own against many cichlids. For instance, i have my 'strigata/xingu II' (not sure which one they are) in with 4 Hoplarchus psittacus, 2 H. temporalis, and 1 Amp. festae....and they are doing just fine.
thanks peanut, appreciate the input 
re: tankmates, i'm still thinking of a combintation that would work.. i have a escondido, an albino oscar, a johanni pike and a one each of redhook, black barred and silver dollar so i'm planning of 1st tryng the cobra with the escondido, albino oscar and the dollars.. if the escondido doesn't cooperate, i'm hoping that the 2 pikes could coexist together.. the tank is a 75 gal with large driftwoods, i know the tank is small but i'm hoping with all the fish in there the aggression would be divided and it would work?
re: tankmates, i'm still thinking of a combintation that would work.. i have a escondido, an albino oscar, a johanni pike and a one each of redhook, black barred and silver dollar so i'm planning of 1st tryng the cobra with the escondido, albino oscar and the dollars.. if the escondido doesn't cooperate, i'm hoping that the 2 pikes could coexist together.. the tank is a 75 gal with large driftwoods, i know the tank is small but i'm hoping with all the fish in there the aggression would be divided and it would work?
Nope, it won't work with the johanna...unless the tank is at least 125...even then you will be pushin it. The escondo might bully the pike...depends on the size though. The silvers are a great idea though, fast and deep bodied...hard to eat...lol. Oscars are a kinda hit/miss...my xingu III pair would TORMENT my oscar and female jag....so yeah...it MIGHT work, but ya never know with pikes.
Here in the US a 'cobra' that is about 4" sells for about $75 on average....sucks a bit...but every now and then you are able to find a deal...
Here in the US a 'cobra' that is about 4" sells for about $75 on average....sucks a bit...but every now and then you are able to find a deal...
You should talk with Anthony...AnthonysTropicalFish.com ...he's got a wicked deal on cobras right now...at least he did.....5 cobras for $250.... ...at the size they are...thats ONE HELL'VA DEAL!
...at the size they are...thats ONE HELL'VA DEAL!unfortunately, i'm from the philippines and crenicichlas are scarce here, but a friend has some so i'm thinking of getting one.. pretty price though.. about $110 but if its going to get that kind of coloration as subadults and adults, it might be worth it 
oh and i have a african pike (odoe), you think there would be any problems with put this guy with the cobra?
oh and i have a african pike (odoe), you think there would be any problems with put this guy with the cobra?
It will be definately worth every cent bro. Trust me....'cobra' are pimp! I would definately jump on it. Especially if they are hard to get there, hard enough to get here..lol.
The african pike should be alright, they don't look like pike cichlids, so there shouldn't be too much aggression. The biggest problem would be size....which one is bigger might cause problems......pikes are torpedo shaped...so it makes them easy targets for bigger predatory fish...
The african pike should be alright, they don't look like pike cichlids, so there shouldn't be too much aggression. The biggest problem would be size....which one is bigger might cause problems......pikes are torpedo shaped...so it makes them easy targets for bigger predatory fish...