anyone know where i can get a african pike(hepsetus odoe)? I have been looking for one for a while but cant find any. They had one at the lfs about a year ago at 6 inches for 30 bucks. I shouldnt have let it go but.....Also does anyone know the care of these fish?
hepsetus odoe
- Thread starter baracuda
- Start date
By Wisdom16 on AP:
Common Name: African Pike, Kafue Pike
Scientific Name: Hepsetus odoe
Size: I've read that they usually just get up to 12", but larger specimens are possible.
Minimum Tank Size: A standard 75 (48"x18") gallon will work fine, but some say they can be kept comfortably in a standard 55 (48"x12".)
pH: 7.0-7.5. They can adapt to most pH levels as long as consistency is maintained.
Temperature: 78-81 degrees Farenheit.
Diet: Feed live foods at first, but when it's settled in you can start trying to feed them frozen foods. Mine took frozen foods the first time I offered them. Frozen krill, silversides, and worms are great foods for them. Larger specimens can be offered pinkie mice every few months.
Breeding: Breeding of this fish in home aquaria is very rare unless you mimick exactly everything in the wild. A large tank will also be needed, but there is no guarantee that they will even attempt to breed.
Tankmate Suggestions: Polypterus species, Synodontis cats, and other large unaggressive fish. Make sure the fish can't fit in the Pike's mouth or else it will be eaten.
Notes: Make sure to provide a well fitting cover because these fish will jump to get food and will more than likely splash you when they go for something floating on top of the water. These fish will bite you if they mistake your finger for a worm and their teeth can peirce the skin very easily so use caution when messing around in your tank.
Personal Experience: These are probably one of my favorite fish I've kept. They are active most of the time and feeding time is fun to watch. They can get skittsh during a water change and will thrash about when you start moving toward them. Very fun fish to keep in my opinion.
Common Name: African Pike, Kafue Pike
Scientific Name: Hepsetus odoe
Size: I've read that they usually just get up to 12", but larger specimens are possible.
Minimum Tank Size: A standard 75 (48"x18") gallon will work fine, but some say they can be kept comfortably in a standard 55 (48"x12".)
pH: 7.0-7.5. They can adapt to most pH levels as long as consistency is maintained.
Temperature: 78-81 degrees Farenheit.
Diet: Feed live foods at first, but when it's settled in you can start trying to feed them frozen foods. Mine took frozen foods the first time I offered them. Frozen krill, silversides, and worms are great foods for them. Larger specimens can be offered pinkie mice every few months.
Breeding: Breeding of this fish in home aquaria is very rare unless you mimick exactly everything in the wild. A large tank will also be needed, but there is no guarantee that they will even attempt to breed.
Tankmate Suggestions: Polypterus species, Synodontis cats, and other large unaggressive fish. Make sure the fish can't fit in the Pike's mouth or else it will be eaten.
Notes: Make sure to provide a well fitting cover because these fish will jump to get food and will more than likely splash you when they go for something floating on top of the water. These fish will bite you if they mistake your finger for a worm and their teeth can peirce the skin very easily so use caution when messing around in your tank.
Personal Experience: These are probably one of my favorite fish I've kept. They are active most of the time and feeding time is fun to watch. They can get skittsh during a water change and will thrash about when you start moving toward them. Very fun fish to keep in my opinion.
Where in California do you live? I saw some this weekend at Aquarium Concepts Hayward, CA for reasonable price.