Crenicichla questions

[softturtle]

I was wondering if anybody keeps (or kept) Crenicichla regani or notophthalmus?
I have heard these pikes can be housed in smaller aquariums. I have a 75 gallon I would like to keep some type of pike in. I would like to even get a pair if possible. Would this be possible with either of these species? Also, it seems I can't find to many places that sell Crenicichla. Any info would be great.

 

[Peanut_Power]

75gal is perfect of Crenicichla regani and compressiceps...notos are more aggressive though and may be a problem...even in that size of tank. You could put a pair of regani or compressiceps in a 30gal wit out too much problem.... www.tangledupincichlids.com has regani and compressiceps right now...and George from SharkAquarium.com has some as well...

 

[softturtle]

You da man P-power. Do you think I could possibly keep 4 regani's (2 males 2 females or 1 male 3 females) in the 75 or am I just gettin' greedy? Another thing, what kind of tank decor do they like? I kind of wanted to do a planted tank. Do you think these fish would thive in a planted tank? The end goal is to spawn them.

 

[Peanut_Power]

Planted tank will be most helpful, as it will break up territories, line of vision and several things. Plus the love to ambush their prey...lol...so it would be most appreciated. TONS of driftwood, can't over emphasize this. They are cavity spawners, so they will probably spawn under pieces of driftwood and the like. Plus the driftwood will lower the pH and acidity of the water, both very important things with spawnin dwarfs or large pikes for that matter. It can be done in harder, higher pH water but its more difficult. A way you can condition them for breedin would to be to feed them live worms, like blackworms, bloodworm, and whiteworms. These seem to prime them up for breeding and one of the main things that gets them going.

I have never kept dwarfs myself, so I don't know their aggression really, but I am assumin they are just like other pikes, if not worse. So keepin two pairs in the same tank might be a bit of a struggle. Once they pair up and start spawnin and stuff your gonna have problems...lol. You might be able to keep 1 male and 2 females. The extra female will be kinda like a dither to help strengthen the pairs bond. Just watch it though cuz they could and would kill the extra one. You might be able to get away with it in a 75gal though. Give it a try, enough hiding places and such might help it out a lot. I would get at least 4...that way you have a chance of gettin a pair better. They are gonna be pretty aggressive with each other until they pair up...lol...so you may be bitin your nails for a bit. Just make sure you have some PVC in there so they can hide and get away. Rapps has some NICE regani in right now, so your set!

 

[Taz2478]

you can go with 4-5 compressiceps (dwarfs 4-6") in a 75 just keep a divider or extra tank handy when they start breeding. I had 4 in my 55, 2m 2f. used a divider once they started breeding and all was good. Amazon Sword and Anubis(sp?) plants worked great along with something to make caves with as peanut said.
Best to get another 55 or 75 and put the babies from ea pair in there with or witout divider. If you wanna go cheaper get a big ice chest with divider (just in case).

 

[softturtle]

Thanks guys. Well, I'm setting up the tank in a few days and will try to order 4 or 5 C. regani as soon as everything is ready (I hope he still has them). I am doing a planted set-up with lots of caves and driftwood. I am planning on 4 or 5 basically becuase of a minimum order of $50 ($10 a peice for 2-2.5"). So, if I do have any tough guys, they'll go into a seperate tank. I will keep you guys posted on the progress. Once again ,thanks.