Crencicichla Lenticulata,

[WOLF2013]

Has anyone kept this pike cichlid species before? I think they are gorgeous and want to add one to my aquarium. How aggressive are they? I have read online that they are one of the most aggressive pike cichlids out there. It's tankmates would be 2 chocolate cichlids some severum cichlids a jack dempsey cichlid and catfish. In a 180 gallon aquarium.
Does anyone have photos of theirs in a community aquarium?
Thanks in advance for all replies.

 

[robmcd]

I kept some many years ago, and it just depends on the fish. One of them was relatively mild tempered, while the other was just plain vicious. You can not keep them with other crenicichla species or with other fish with similar body shapes to them, as they will be killed. Mine destroyed a larger sorubium lima catfish on the second day. The pink tailed chalceus were the next victims. They showed zero interest in taller bodied cichlids, plecos or prochilodus tank mates. I had both of them in a mildly stocked 240 gal and they turned on each other immediately, so I kept the smaller one in a 100 gal planted until I could rehome it.

 

[kno4te]

Tank would be fine with a pike from the saxatalis group. Lenticulata can be mean and will take over the tank. Maybe consider the risk.

 

[Fiberacci]

I had a pair. Worked fine for a little bit. Didnt really harm anything but kept the other fish in the corner

 

[WOLF2013]

Thank you guys. I think I will pass on the lenticulata then. They are beauties but I don't want to risk the other fish being stressed.
How about atabapo pikes? Are they the same deal as the lenticulatas?

 

[Rocksor]

Thank you guys. I think I will pass on the lenticulata then. They are beauties but I don't want to risk the other fish being stressed.
How about atabapo pikes? Are they the same deal as the lenticulatas?

As long as the other cichlids don’t challenge its desire to dominate, you won’t have shredded fins or chunks missing from their flaring neck portions. They are less aggressive then lents.

 

[WOLF2013]

As long as the other cichlids don’t challenge its desire to dominate, you won’t have shredded fins or chunks missing from their flaring neck portions. They are less aggressive then lents.

Ok cool. The pike will most likely be about 2-3''. while the severums are about 4-5'' the chocolates are about 6-8''. there is an oscar about 7-9'' and a 8-9'' male jack dempsey. For a red atapabo pike cichlid to only be $25-$35 I am assuming they are small like 2-4''.

 

[robmcd]

A 2-4'' pike will be a meal for 7-9'' oscar.

 

[WOLF2013]

A 2-4'' pike will be a meal for 7-9'' oscar.

Yea that is what I was thinking. Hopefully I will be shocked and see the pikes are close to 5-6''.My local fish store's pricing system is strange. One week fish will be cheaper than the next shipment they cost more. Makes no sense. They must be adding shipping fees and other stuff to their prices.
For example in January they had Zebrina pikes at $500. Then in February they went back down to $350.