Confusing identification

[mbeatrice]

Darn, Ned only had one "orange pike" left, and I was going to go back and pick it up this weekend. If it's the same pike I got, with the orange spot in the caudal, then your ID is in this thread.

sorry man...... lol... my bad... but i have ben searching for three years for one...couldnt pass it up..

 

[mbeatrice]

also i will keep an eye out for one for you around my way and if interested in anything els let me know...

 

[Scatocephalus]

Oh, they definitely had no idea. This is a very reputable LFS, but they're really not so familiar with crenicichla species. They carry them because they sell, but let's face it...ID on these guys isn't so easy.

I think I may go back to see if they have any more.

Most FS, even reputable ones are horrid at ID'ing pikes. I've got two independent stores near me that both try and keep a modest selection of pikes. Sadly, neither know squat about identifying them. I've offered both locales my help in properly ID'ing them but only one has accepted help while the other actually was insulted that I'd even think to point out to them that their fish were mislabeled.

Here's what I found on their labels yesterday when I went into their store:

Green Pike, dwarf (yes this is a big one!) $79.99

It was a 6"-7" Cr. sveni. I assume they were saying it was a Cr. compressiceps.

Striped Pike $29.99

These were actually Cr. sp. "Belly Crawler"

Ring Tail Pike $49.99

These were actually 3"-4" Cr. sveni

They also had a 6"-7" johanna that was starting to show some nice color. It escapes me what they had it listed as but it was definitely wrong and waaay overpriced at $129.99!?!

In any case, I asked again if they wanted help properly ID'ing them and was promptly shot down.

 

[Titania]

Took a couple of photos this weekend. I'm an awful fish photographer, sorry!

And, forgive the head getting cut off on this one, but it's a nice display of finnage, especially that big orange caudal spot.

 

[Peanut_Power]

Yup, definitely sp. 'atabapo II'. You can see in that top picture that it has already had a little bit of HITH behind the eye and a little on the nose. I'm telling you, these guys are seriously bad at getting it.

Also in that last picture just before the caudal fin you can see the red spots coming in. If you look at the picture of the adult that Mark posted you can see the red spots before the caudal fin as well. Same fish.

Mark ~ WOW! You need to move man! Those prices are crazy! Luckily I work at one of the LFS around here, so our pikes are fairly accurate on IDs. Not too horribly pricey either, especially compared to those! Geez!

I am torn when I go to a LFS though that has some Crenicichla mislabeled and priced wrong. Should I tell them and risk a price raise, or just leave it alone and get a great deal. LoL Normally my conscience gets the better of me and I try to help them. Sometimes they are grateful, others they are like what you said Mark, surprised and annoyed that I would even make a claim that their fish are mislabeled.

 

[Titania]

Thanks for confirming the ID, peanut.

I noticed the bit of HITH when I took a look at the photos. They don't actually let me get close enough to them to take a look myself.

I'm hoping the good quality food and every other day water changes will help stay off the disease getting any worse.

 

[cmchan07]

Hi all.. i think i also have a "pair" of Crenicihla same as the picture above posted by Bro Titania. Are those expensive? I bought it at abt $100plus in my country.. cheap? or Expensive? Can some one also share with me how to se them? Thanks in advance