Crenicichla Marmorata "Rio Xingu"

[snookn21]

Hello All, here are pics of those mystery pikes. They shouldnt be a mystery any more. If so please voice your opinions and back your opinions up with pictures of what you think these are. Im almost positive these are marmorata the only reason Im not positive is because a few of you are saying they are not. Thats why Ive created this thread. In this thread you guys can show me why they are not xingu marmorata. My suppliers answer to me was these are spot face pike from the rio xingu, brazil... If their is a simular pike in the xingu then I understand, but the only other ones I can find from the xingu look nothing like this. Please voice your opinions. Thanks, John

BTW : These look just like every picture I googled. You can google "Crenicichla Marmorata xingu" and you will see fish that look just like ours

 

[Scatocephalus]

Hello All, here are pics of those mystery pikes. They shouldnt be a mystery any more. If so please voice your opinions and back your opinions up with pictures of what you think these are. Im almost positive these are marmorata the only reason Im not positive is because a few of you are saying they are not. Thats why Ive created this thread. In this thread you guys can show me why they are not xingu marmorata. My suppliers answer to me was these are spot face pike from the rio xingu, brazil... If their is a simular pike in the xingu then I understand, but the only other ones I can find from the xingu look nothing like this. Please voice your opinions. Thanks, John

BTW : These look just like every picture I googled. You can google "Crenicichla Marmorata xingu" and you will see fish that look just like ours

If you send me 4 of them I'd be willing to sacrifice valuable tank space as well as spend my own money to power feed them so as to grow them up as quickly as possible so that we could ID them for you.

Just say the word and I'm here to help!!

 

[Peanut_Power]

Here are some shots of my Cr. sp. 'xingu II' I had a few years ago that were about 8". Not saying definitely thats what they are, but you can see what I mean by several pike species looking similar as juv. Right now the only difference is the ocellated humeral blotch behind the pectoral, but they could get that as they grow. They are already starting to loose their spots. . .

Btw....these were also sold to me as Cr. marmorata from a reliable source.

Crenicichla sp. 'xingu II'

 

[apriliarider15]

What locality were Frank Warzel's C. marmorata? I thought I heard Rio Xingu somewhere and I think somewhere else said Rio Trombetas. If these are marms and Frank's were from the same area then who ever got these is in for a treat in the future.

 

[Scatocephalus]

This picture makes me very sad...

Regarding the mystery pikes... Jer, I think you may be onto something. The features that really jump out at me in both your old Xingu II and these new mystery fish are the very long, very distinct sub- and post-orbital stripes.

 

[snookn21]

I dont see any spots in their face. Our pikes are right around the same size as those, and I see 0 spots in yours faces. They do look simular though, just not exact..

 

[Scatocephalus]

I dont see any spots in their face. Our pikes are right around the same size as those, and I see 0 spots in yours faces. They do look simular though, just not exact..

It's not so much the size of the fish as it is the maturity. Your wild caught fish are going be larger at a younger age, i.e. less mature, than what Jer's were at the same size.

The spots on the face disappear as the fish mature. Almost all young Lugubris group pikes have spotted faces and horizontal body stripes. As they mature the spots disappear and the horizontal stripes are replaced by vertical banding except when stressed.

I hope your not taking our questioning what your fish are personally. Even expert Crenicichla keepers have a rough time ID'ing them as youngsters. All you can go by is what your collector told you. Regardless, anything from the Rio Xingu is going to end up being a nice fish. Even the relatively common Xingu I are very nice fish!

 

[snookn21]

Thanks Scat. I spoke with my supplier again today, and he mentioned he had around 15 of the spot face from xingu left. I will buy more and keep some for myself just to watch grow out. I am very curious to see what these look like when fully mature.

 

[Scatocephalus]

Thanks Scat. I spoke with my supplier again today, and he mentioned he had around 15 of the spot face from xingu left. I will buy more and keep some for myself just to watch grow out. I am very curious to see what these look like when fully mature.

Can he get other species from the Rio Xingu? Cr. sp. "Xingu III" perhaps?

 

[Peanut_Power]

I hope your not taking our questioning what your fish are personally. Even expert Crenicichla keepers have a rough time ID'ing them as youngsters. All you can go by is what your collector told you. Regardless, anything from the Rio Xingu is going to end up being a nice fish. Even the relatively common Xingu I are very nice fish!

Aye. IDing Crenicichla can be a challenge at best sometimes! Its turning into a fun, healthy discussion though! Lots of superb points and thoughts! I love it!

BTW....I second Marks suggestion of getting some Cr. sp. 'Xingu III' and raise it one by also requesting Cr. percna.