CRENICICHLA "STRIGATA"

[Dovii dude]

How huge? can it outgrow a 600 gallon tank?[/quote
No, it won't. A true Stigata is not very common in Crenicichla. Most of them advertised for sale aren't true strigatas, but usually a Venezuela or the like. Is that yours in the photo and how large is it.
Generally most will advise not to add different species of pikes into the same tank unless grown from a young age or if adding to a setup with a pike in it already, then add 3 or so. That way the established pike resident can't gear all his attention to one pike.
But considering the size of your tank I personally would try to add one. But there is no guarantee that it won't get attacked though. make sure it is a comparable size or larger.
I believe strigatas get around 18" or so. Cinctas and Vens can get to around 24. So even if it gets larger it wont exceed those.
My first look tells me a male since no red abdomen, females usually have the red abdomen and a white dorsal stripe. But yours has so much white in dorsal that hard to distinguish if it has one.

Thank You!!!

 

[Dovii dude]

Hey Johnptc,where in this thread does it say that he has a 600 gal tank??

 

[ShadowStryder]

That is my understanding about the difficulty of identifying a true Strigata.

What do you think?

Two people who I believe are very knowledgeable in identifying Cichlids is Polomax and Peanut. Both identified this as a true Strigata. This one actually came from Polomax. It's now over a foot long and thick. He/she is very docile with the PBASS I have in the tank. Primarily keeps to itself. Just cruises around always looking for food.

I was thinking of adding a MARMORATA (sp) ? I'm knew to Pikes so this is all knew to me.

Thanks

If either or both said Strigata then I would take their word for it. They are both very knowledgable about cichlids and fish for that matter.
Pikes usually don't bother other types of fish that aren't pikes. (unless they can fit them in their mouth)
You can't go wrong if you try to add a Marmorata, In fact it is my favorite species of Crenicichla. ( See my avitar, it is my female marm)
Marms get very thick and robust also.
Like I stated earlier, I would make sure it is close if not bigger than your current Strigata resident. Definitely nothing smaller than 2" less than the
Strigata.
Add the new pike when you have some time to observe them for a while
cause things could turn ugly. But with a 600 the odds are much better.

GL and welcome to the world of Crenicichla. I can become addicting!

And your welcome Dovii Dude

 

[yama]

WOW !I WANT ONE. VERY VERY COOL.

 

[reptech]

adding a new pike to a tank that is already lived in by other pikes is not always going to work out and most of the time ends with death

 

[ShadowStryder]

Hey Johnptc,where in this thread does it say that he has a 600 gal tank??

He asked if it would outgrow a 600, so I answered under the assumption that it was in or going in one.

 

[johnptc]

Hey Johnptc,where in this thread does it say that he has a 600 gal tank??

if you know R1 he has a 600

 

[ShadowStryder]

if you know R1 he has a 600

That was the impression I have gotten from reading his post in other threads,
also from his interaction with FuguPuff.

 

[R1_Ridah]

if you know R1 he has a 600

After seeing the 10K tank my tank is like a 10 gallon =-( ..... Thanks again for the hospitality and it's always good to see Sam

 

[chiefmojo]

There is no doubt that this is a true strigata. I have two myself and they look indenticle to yours. Very cool pike and very rare. I have my two in with two lenticulata. They share a 900 gallon tank with very little aggression. I am hoping to add my 13" female marmorata in with them as well. Good luck