Tuesday I placed my three largest lenticulata into the big tank with the Cichla, Hoplarchus and motoro rays. The lents are by far and away the smallest fish in there. As such I dumped a couple hundred feeder goldfish in the tank just prior to adding the lenticulata so that the Cichla would be stuffed and not looking to eat Crenicichla for dinner. The plan worked and the lents are doing great.
A couple of interesting observations:
1. Last night there were still 50 or so goldfish left. As expected, they were schooled together hanging out at the surface trying to avoid being eaten. The lenticulata would clamp their fins tight, roll over on their side and slowly float to the surface of the tank where they would remain motionless until a goldfish came close enough. Wham! They'd grab a feeder and dart back down to the bottom. I saw each one do this 2 or 3 times. I'm now convinced that this is a natural form of hunting in the wild and their coloration probably mimics a rotting fish corpse. When I saw the first pike do this my reaction was one of dismay as I thought the fish was dying. I've always fed my pikes on an every 2 or 3 day schedule to avoid them getting too fat. As such they always attack their food with gusto which has not let me watch their natural "hunting" behaviour. Very cool indeed!!
2. These guys are full of piss and vinegar! As a group they are already staking out a small territory. The three are collectively helping to protect it from the larger fish. The largest lenticulata even went after the smaller Cichla a few times last night which amazed me being that the Cichla are several incehes larger. Out of all the various Crenicichla species I have kept over the years, these are definitely the most aggressive. It makes me wonder what to expect when they are 12"+!!
3. Interestingly enough, at such a small size they have incredible color. I wish I knew their collection area. The largest has the most color and in fact, is patterened somewhat differently. I have a hard time believing that at such a small size they would have started to sexually differentiate themselves but based on what I am seeing I think I may have 1 male and 2 females. Time will tell. I'll try and get some decent pics in the next day or two to illustrate the differences and what I am basing my assumptions on.
To be continued...
A couple of interesting observations:
1. Last night there were still 50 or so goldfish left. As expected, they were schooled together hanging out at the surface trying to avoid being eaten. The lenticulata would clamp their fins tight, roll over on their side and slowly float to the surface of the tank where they would remain motionless until a goldfish came close enough. Wham! They'd grab a feeder and dart back down to the bottom. I saw each one do this 2 or 3 times. I'm now convinced that this is a natural form of hunting in the wild and their coloration probably mimics a rotting fish corpse. When I saw the first pike do this my reaction was one of dismay as I thought the fish was dying. I've always fed my pikes on an every 2 or 3 day schedule to avoid them getting too fat. As such they always attack their food with gusto which has not let me watch their natural "hunting" behaviour. Very cool indeed!!
2. These guys are full of piss and vinegar! As a group they are already staking out a small territory. The three are collectively helping to protect it from the larger fish. The largest lenticulata even went after the smaller Cichla a few times last night which amazed me being that the Cichla are several incehes larger. Out of all the various Crenicichla species I have kept over the years, these are definitely the most aggressive. It makes me wonder what to expect when they are 12"+!!
3. Interestingly enough, at such a small size they have incredible color. I wish I knew their collection area. The largest has the most color and in fact, is patterened somewhat differently. I have a hard time believing that at such a small size they would have started to sexually differentiate themselves but based on what I am seeing I think I may have 1 male and 2 females. Time will tell. I'll try and get some decent pics in the next day or two to illustrate the differences and what I am basing my assumptions on.
To be continued...
