Jeweled pike cichlid
- Thread starter Joshuakahan
- Start date
There are at least 130 species of pike cichlids, and a number on undescribed, often called by location, like river or region, or adult size,
Pike cichlids are the most species rich, and wide ranging group in of cichlids in all of S America, but all come from east of the Andes..
Some come from the very soft, low pH, warm waters of northern S America, and are dwarfs (5") while others can get almost 2 ft long.
Some come from the temperate, sub tropical sometimes more alkaline water as far south as Uruguay and Argentina where water temps can drop to 60'F in winter, and reach only about 1 ft long.
Some come from slow moving rivers, and lakes, some come from rapids and fast waters
Some species are insectivores, some piscivores, others molluscivores.
Using a name like jeweled is a bit vague when trying to get specific info, it would be better if you used the scientific name..
Above are Crenicichla saxatilis from Uruguay, on the left the more full bodied with rose colored belly are female, males a bit thinner and a lack of red in the gut.
The saxatilus group is very wide spread, some from warm waters, some like those in my photo, seasonally cool ones,
With this species, its often a good idea to know catch location to know care requirements
Below are Crenicichla sp. Belly Crawler
The one on the left is female, note the spot in the dorsal. On the right is a male (no spot)
Needless to say, many look similar and are easily confused, a few are not,
at least knowing the full scientific name (if at all possible) gets you in the ball park, as to how to take care of them
Pike cichlids are the most species rich, and wide ranging group in of cichlids in all of S America, but all come from east of the Andes..
Some come from the very soft, low pH, warm waters of northern S America, and are dwarfs (5") while others can get almost 2 ft long.
Some come from the temperate, sub tropical sometimes more alkaline water as far south as Uruguay and Argentina where water temps can drop to 60'F in winter, and reach only about 1 ft long.
Some come from slow moving rivers, and lakes, some come from rapids and fast waters
Some species are insectivores, some piscivores, others molluscivores.
Using a name like jeweled is a bit vague when trying to get specific info, it would be better if you used the scientific name..
Above are Crenicichla saxatilis from Uruguay, on the left the more full bodied with rose colored belly are female, males a bit thinner and a lack of red in the gut.
The saxatilus group is very wide spread, some from warm waters, some like those in my photo, seasonally cool ones,
With this species, its often a good idea to know catch location to know care requirements
Below are Crenicichla sp. Belly Crawler
The one on the left is female, note the spot in the dorsal. On the right is a male (no spot)
Needless to say, many look similar and are easily confused, a few are not,
at least knowing the full scientific name (if at all possible) gets you in the ball park, as to how to take care of them
Let it settle in but could be nickeriensis. As Duanes said there are a good many of them in the saxatalis group. I’d try to keep the water on the softer side if able. If not then keep a stable pH. Should get b/w 6-10 inches. Temps 70-80s.
Thanks for the info!
I haven’t bought it yet, it is just listed as a jeweled with no Latin name. I’m pretty much trying to determine if it would do ok with my geos since I know some pikes are smaller and some like C. Venezuela are killers
I haven’t bought it yet, it is just listed as a jeweled with no Latin name. I’m pretty much trying to determine if it would do ok with my geos since I know some pikes are smaller and some like C. Venezuela are killers
I’m really looking for a dwarf pike that gets 5-8”. I’m gonna pass on the jeweled since it’s probably impossible to say what it is without a Latin name, but what about these guys? I’m reading that they max out at 7-ish”
My tank is a semi black water set up with driftwood, almond leaves and some jungle Val and hornwart with decent flow
My tank is a semi black water set up with driftwood, almond leaves and some jungle Val and hornwart with decent flow
