Crenicichla Lenticulata

[Anton]

I have an 8 inch sub-adult male lenticulata living in a 100 gal tank with two plecos. He has a healthy appetite and feeds on market shrimp and as a treat, live shrimp of feeders.

I heard they're supposed to be one of the most colorful and beautiful pikes but mine hasn't really colored up. Will his colors come out in time or will he remain as is? Hope he does turn out to be beautiful since he's quite expensive. I have a female in amother tank. I'll try to put them together when she gets bigger.

Thank you.

 

[Anton]

Comments anyone?

 

[Scatocephalus]

Lenticulata are HIGHLY variable. They come from all over the Amazon basin and to be honest it is a mystery as to why they are so rare in the hobby. They should be just as prevalent as Chocolate Cichlids and Severum! With that said I have seen some spectacular specimens with bright red along their back, others with colorful humeral spots and other that were just dogs that you wouldn't pay a buck for. Even lenticulata collected in the same area can be quite variable. Which do have? You'll never know until they grow up which isn't until they hit the 10"-12" range. Good luck!!

 

[Peanut_Power]

Aye, like Scat said, pikes are SUPER variable. I also agree that its kinda annoying that lents. are as rare as they are. Wish they were imported more often.

Personally, I think all lents. look great, even as juv. Sure there are some variaties that are way more desireable, but any lent. is gonna grow up to be an impressive fish. As they mature, they start intensifying their colors, gettin more pronounced and bold, sometimes they start gettin more reds and oranges, among other colors. You have to be patient though cuz it won't happen till about 10 to 12" like Scat said. Its WELL worth the wait though! I can't wait till mine starts spicing up...already love its colors...

 

[GIjoe]

I believe one of the possible reasons are the things we feed them once they get in our tanks. If you purchase a large wild caught specimen chances are he`s going to be gorgous.
But if we get a smaller specimen, & feed him nothing but feeders & the more readily available fish food. Chances are that they`ll lose quite a bit of color as they age.
MHO.......Keith

P.S. I agree with Peanut, they`re all knockouts to me.

 

[Peanut_Power]

Joe brought up a great point. Varied diet. Its very very important, not only for the health of your fish, but also for its colors. I try to rotate my foods, and occassionally throw in random things. Earthworms, mysis shrimp, cocktail, pellets, algae wafers, crickets, cicadas (sp), thawed pinkies, just experiement. Most pikes will try to eat anything.

 

[Anton]

Patience is what I need then. I feed mine market shrimp as a staple. He also receives feeders and live ghost shrimp once in a while. I should train them to accept pellets and algae wafers. Do your fish eat the algae wafers (tablet) as soon as you drop it in the tank?

Why then are lents so rare and expensive if they are spread throughout the Amazon? I thought they were seldom caught due to scarcity.

Hope my lents grow up to be as beautiful as those in the pictures.

Thanks for all your replies.

 

[MTN PIKE]

You may want to try using a 'barricade' & put the female in the same tank as the male. That way they can see/smell each other & interact. In time you could try them together with no separation, they could be friendly -tolerate & become a pair. We are growing a pair of Lents who are insepartable - just plain luck!

 

[Anton]

Thanks for that suggestion MTN PIKE. I will do as you suggest. My male is 8 inches and very robust. My female, on the other hand, is around 5 inches but has not yet developed enough muscle to deal with the male. A "barrier" is a very good idea since it will make them aware of each other. Hopefully, in time they will be friendly with each other.

How big is your pair? Hope they breed for you.

Thank you.

 

[Scatocephalus]

Actually, be careful. Most Lugubris group pikes are schoolers until they start to mature. As they approach 8"- 10" most, but not all, happy relationships start to fall part. As they go through this "teenager" stage they are hell on each other. Once they finally mature they start to settle down and get along better. This in between phase is by far and away the most critical.