Hey everyone, I've been really thinking about getting into keeping some pike cichlids, just don't know much about them. I would be looking to put then in a 75 gallon that has a pair of severums and some bichirs, and a couple geo's. My current stock may change, but i was hoping to fit some Pikes in, and from what I've read, i believe there are dwarf species. My questions are: how readily available are the dwarf species? Can crenicichla be kept with tankmates in general? How much of an issue will aggression be, particularly concerning the bichirs, as i do not want to get rid of them. Will this be a possibility, or will i just have to wait until i have either a bigger tank out my 75 is empty.
Crenicichla questions
- Thread starter large sausage pizza
- Start date
I have a bellycrawler with geo iporangensis, heckellii, and rotkeil in my 125. He is 3" and the smallest fish in the tank right now right and so far everything thing is great. He's very active and not scared of anyone, most of the time he hangs out front and center waiting to be fed.
Have you ever heard of redline pike cichlids? I came across these, and asked for a Latin name, was told cr. Belfoi. However, i have been unable to find any information on this, literally zero results.
There's a lot of common names for these fish. I have three Johanna's all a little over a foot long in my 450. They get too big for your set up but they may have the same attitude as smaller pikes. My guys stay at the lower areas of the tank and hide out in the same areas as my Dels. I had to remove the dels because of this. The Pikes would grab the Dels tail and drag them out of hiding places and just basically bully the Dels. You would think in a 450 there would be enough space but not so in my case.
Thanks for the responses, still hoping for some more input about the smaller Pikes. I know there's mow than 2 of you who keep them. But seriously, has anyone heard of crenicichla belfoi? I can't find anything at all about this name.
Sounds like they just pulled a scientific name out of their batootie, or perhaps you are spelling it wrong? To the best of my knowledge there aren't any pikes called Crenicichla belfoi. Sometimes Crenicichla johanna is sold as red line or rainbow pike.
Be careful, sometimes other fish species are sold under the name as pikes. I know I've ordered in pikes before and gotten a wide assortment of fish, from pike gourami to african odoe pikes, tis slightly ridiculous sometimes.
As for a pike that would work well in your set up, there are a few questions I have for you first.
What type of bichirs do you have? There are some really large species out there, and wouldn't work out so well with dwarfs just for the fact that they would be food. Pikes are torpedo shaped, which makes them easier to swallow. Same goes for your bichirs, if you get too big of a pike, well, you can figure out the rest.
There are a few dwarf pikes currently available. They weren't always that way though, Crenicichla compressiceps just recently became available again, so its still fairly pricey, although nothing to stop ya from getting some. Personally those would be the ones I would look into getting. They are rare, gorgeous, and full of attitude and personality. Plus stay under 5".
Be careful, sometimes other fish species are sold under the name as pikes. I know I've ordered in pikes before and gotten a wide assortment of fish, from pike gourami to african odoe pikes, tis slightly ridiculous sometimes.
As for a pike that would work well in your set up, there are a few questions I have for you first.
What type of bichirs do you have? There are some really large species out there, and wouldn't work out so well with dwarfs just for the fact that they would be food. Pikes are torpedo shaped, which makes them easier to swallow. Same goes for your bichirs, if you get too big of a pike, well, you can figure out the rest.
There are a few dwarf pikes currently available. They weren't always that way though, Crenicichla compressiceps just recently became available again, so its still fairly pricey, although nothing to stop ya from getting some. Personally those would be the ones I would look into getting. They are rare, gorgeous, and full of attitude and personality. Plus stay under 5".