My special little guy....

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Thanks P-, havent planned on breeding yet, just getting back into keeping fish, and no spacefor more tanks. Ive seen yer threads and posts here and there and it sounds like you really know your s#!t, so thanks for the props. If I did decide to breed, what is the min tank size to use and at what size is sexual maturity?I dont think that Ill even be able to find another sveni in my area let alone a male. The owner of the shop I bought it at just ordered a "pike cichlid", not by species name.Dont know if I even want to buy from him again (damn saltwater guy).
 
robmcd;689022; said:
Thanks P-, havent planned on breeding yet, just getting back into keeping fish, and no spacefor more tanks. Ive seen yer threads and posts here and there and it sounds like you really know your s#!t, so thanks for the props. If I did decide to breed, what is the min tank size to use and at what size is sexual maturity?I dont think that Ill even be able to find another sveni in my area let alone a male. The owner of the shop I bought it at just ordered a "pike cichlid", not by species name.Dont know if I even want to buy from him again (damn saltwater guy).
Click to expand...

You got a lot of compliments from quite a few well known pike enthusiasts...you should feel special...;). Still learnin though my man, still learnin myself. Never endin process.

Min. tank size for Cr. sveni to breed in would be a 55gal, but I would definately aim for 75gal or better. Bigger the tank, the better your chances. They normally reach sexual maturity around 6 to 8" in Saxatilis pikes, and 8 to 12" in Lugubris pikes. You'll know when she is ready for a man.

If you DO plan to breed them, your gonna have it rough. You'll have to find a male that is at least as big as she is if not bigger. Crenicichla are very aggressive towards each other, so this presents a problem in certain circumstances. Ideally you would get a group of young pikes and grow them up together, allow them to pair up on their own, and then remove the other pikes before they get the snot knocked outa them. In your case though, its gonna be hit or miss. They are picky about their mates, she might take the male you get, or she might try to kill him.
 
Starting to get really colorful. Now tankmates are: 1-Royal plec, 6''
1-common plec, 5''
2-Prochilodus(flagtails), 5'' ea.
1-silver aro, 9''
and that raphael cat that is never seen.
So that makes her top dog in the yard, and boy is she flaunting it. Colors have changed drastictly. No more competition for food so she is always fat. I also added a bunch more wood and plants and not a single fish is messing with them, so they are growing like weeds, the plants that is. I think that Ive solved the big fish with plants equation. Pikes tend to use them to their advantage when stalking or ambushing prey. Sorry about crappy pic but its all I have at the moment.

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Nice pikes! I can't wait to see the colors you guys are talking about after the fish gets older!
 
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