Crenicichla Saxatilis question

[trustemedia]

I have an opportunity to get Crenicichla Saxatilis. I'm really in keeping a pike. Need advice as to whether this pike would fair in my tank.

My tank is 110 gallons, just a little over 5 feet long, 16.5 inches wide, and 25.5 inches tall.

Right now, I have 6 juvie Geophagus Sveni in the tank at about 2.5-3". I would, of course, have to make sure the pike is small and not full grown as not to have my Sveni for lunch. It was just offered to me as a choice on a list and I'm not sure of specifics yet. But, in a perfect world of it also being a juvie, would it be okay in my tank?

I'm also interested in Severum, Mesonauta, Giant Hatchetfish, and Silver Dollars. I would like an interesting tank without overstocking.

Is there a combination of these that would work good for my setup?

 

[kno4te]

Could add the saxatalis pike. Itll take over the tank once bigger. Wouldn’t add anymore fish to the tank. The geophagus will keep the pike cichlid busy.

 

[Rocksor]

The geos in those numbers at 6" SL plus an 8"-10" pike would pretty much fill up a tank that size if not a little more as adult fish.

 

[duanes]

What part of South America is the saxitillus from?
There are Uruguayan variants, that come from cooler waters, especially in the South American winter and need slight cool downs, the others in the tank may not like. In winter for my Uruguayan saxatillus I dropped tank temps into the 60s, so tank mates needed to be temp appropriate, like the Australoheros red Ceibals in the pic below.

If you get a more northern South American variant, no problem.

 

[trustemedia]

Thank you. Yes, I knew about this and is something I was going to find out today.

What part of South America is the saxitillus from?
There are Uruguayan variants, that come from cooler waters, especially in the South American winter and need slight cool downs, the others in the tank may not like. In winter for my Uruguayan saxatillus I dropped tank temps into the 60s, so tank mates needed to be temp appropriate, like the Australoheros red Ceibals in the pic below.

If you get a more northern South American variant, no problem.

 

[trustemedia]

The geos in those numbers at 6" SL plus an 8"-10" pike would pretty much fill up a tank that size if not a little more as adult fish.

Is there a smaller pike that would work better you could suggest? I've read up on a bunch. There are many that stay smaller, but I'd like someone with experience to advise which, if any, would be best.

 

[kno4te]

Is there a smaller pike that would work better you could suggest? I've read up on a bunch. There are many that stay smaller, but I'd like someone with experience to advise which, if any, would be best.

Regani and comprissecips are dwarf pikes and managable.

 

[trustemedia]

Regani and comprissecips are dwarf pikes and managable.

Do Regani have to be in groups to thrive? I thought I had read you should keep them in larger groups. I'm not sure if that's doable in my setup. I honestly don't know about Compressiceps. I knew it existed, but don't recall what I had read about it. Not sure if I need a single, pair, or group.

 

[kno4te]

Do Regani have to be in groups to thrive? I thought I had read you should keep them in larger groups. I'm not sure if that's doable in my setup. I honestly don't know about Compressiceps. I knew it existed, but don't recall what I had read about it. Not sure if I need a single, pair, or group.

Both dont need to be in groups. Be cautious with aggressive tankmates, don’t place one with a African tiger fish.

 

[trustemedia]

Both dont need to be in groups. Be cautious with aggressive tankmates, don’t place one with a African tiger fish.

Got it. I have 6 Juvie Geo Sveni right now. Deciding on either a small group of Metynnis Fasciatus and some Giant Hatchetfish or one Severum and an Electric Blue Acara. Does that sound okay with say one Regani?