what species of pike and in what size tank? So far from this thread, I've learned that it's hit or miss with mixture cause I've heard "it's fine" and "bad idea man".
Oscars mixed with pike cichlids
- Thread starter iHonesty
- Start date
what species of pike and in what size tank? So far from this thread, I've learned that it's hit or miss with mixture cause I've heard "it's fine" and "bad idea man".
Send PeanutPower a private message. When I was researching pikes I exchanged a LOT of PMs with him on the subject. He is easily one of the most knowledgable MFKers with crenicichla.
When someone says something like "oh, I kept a pike with my ______ and it worked great" I have to laugh a little bit. The term "pike" is as vague as "Cichlid." What if someone asked if they could keep a "Cichlid" with their current stock? That could be a little dwarf SA species like apistogramma, or some big bruiser CA like a red devil. Pikes come in quite a few different sizes and temperaments. Some don't get more than a couple inches and are pretty peaceful, and the Lents you mentioned are extremely large growing and aggressive. And like ALL cichlids they have varying temperaments as individuals and you can never for sure say something will work or not.
I will tell you the Atabapo II's seem to get HITH really easily and I've personally seen them be extremely aggressive to other cichlids. Your best bet might be a medium sized, less aggressive species of the saxatilis group.
Also, are you going for a single specimen, a pair, or a group? This is another important thing to consider.
When someone says something like "oh, I kept a pike with my ______ and it worked great" I have to laugh a little bit. The term "pike" is as vague as "Cichlid." What if someone asked if they could keep a "Cichlid" with their current stock? That could be a little dwarf SA species like apistogramma, or some big bruiser CA like a red devil. Pikes come in quite a few different sizes and temperaments. Some don't get more than a couple inches and are pretty peaceful, and the Lents you mentioned are extremely large growing and aggressive. And like ALL cichlids they have varying temperaments as individuals and you can never for sure say something will work or not.
I will tell you the Atabapo II's seem to get HITH really easily and I've personally seen them be extremely aggressive to other cichlids. Your best bet might be a medium sized, less aggressive species of the saxatilis group.
Also, are you going for a single specimen, a pair, or a group? This is another important thing to consider.
Okay, i wil send peanutpower a PM! i always hate doing that though cause i feel like im intruding or something, idk. but i will see if he will help me out with some info. and i know what you mean with the comments, but nobody ever specified anything back so i can know wth they had work out so nicely for them. Individual circumstances are to be considered, but I'm just looking for a sort of stereotype of each species. Thank you for the info on those 2 species. I was planning on keeping a group of 3-5, but I was told that pikes are more aggressive towards other pikes before they would be to other fish, and since I am looking to buy species specific, I plan on spending $100+ on these fish, and I would be devastated if one of them were to be killed. I am looking for a pike that will get anywhere between 12"-20" at full size. saxatillis won't grow to be a foot will they?
yeah i dont have experience with pikes but they are awesome fish, but yeah especially with the larger growing ones like the ones you are looking at getting i think the bigger issue would be aggression between pikes (or the pike towards the O) than between the Oscar and pike, pretty much all of those get large enough for the O to not bother with them, they are soo different in shape that the O wont consider them a threat or anything and big enough to no be considered food, i would do just one pike in the tank and maybe multiple Os or other cichlids depending on the size of tank we are talking about... i really like the atabapos but im pretty sure they are one of the more aggressive pikes
I agree! There are a lot of things to learn when considering adding a pike or a group of them to your stock. PeanutPower has given me plenty of advice on several species of pikes. He's nice and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others. Pikes have different requirements and behaviors. An adult Sveni standing up against an aggressive Oscar will not be the same as an adult Lenticulata in the same situation. There are many things to consider, ask Peanut Power.
Peanut is a moderator, so it is his job to be helpful.
He's a nice guy too, don't feel bad about shooting him a PM, his passion is crenicichla. No, saxatilis will not be in that size range generally. Since you're new to pikes, I would honestly recommend you start with something a little smaller and less aggressive, easier to get on to prepared food, and less fussy about water quality. Crenicichla sveni is a bit more common and less sexy than some of the bigger flashier stuff, but they are less aggressive, easy to care for, and readily available--they are $6 each locally, and that seller sells on aquabid as well (Wet Spot).
Also, if you get a group, expect some pike on pike violence. If two pair up, the other pikes in the tank could very well be murdered. Pikes really don't particularly like each other.
I've seen Atabapo IIs kill big jack dempseys for fun. Pikes are 100% predators, and if they decide to kill something they have the hardware and strength to do it! They can definitely work with other fish, but you want to do as much research as possible.
Funny we both mentioned Sveni. They really are a great beginner pike. That is what I was going to go for before I ended up with a pair of cubans for my 90--no more room now!
I'm try as best i can to take all the considerations and factors before the oscar and the 'soon to be' pike have their first play-date. and everyones referring me to peanutpower so thats where im headed. and gruff master, how would the situation look at a Sveni going up against an oscar? i've gathered what a lent would do 
and that tragic because the lents were my favorite. another thing... how do pikes interact with people? are they skittish or is handfeeding easy with them? as ambush predators id assume they are gonna be skittish..
and that tragic because the lents were my favorite. another thing... how do pikes interact with people? are they skittish or is handfeeding easy with them? as ambush predators id assume they are gonna be skittish..Sveni are great pikes. Because of their more manageable size and temperament, I agree that they are good a beginner Pike. But a pair of Cubans ain't shabby either!
Sveni and Oscar should be a lot better match.
Pikes tend to be a bit cautious, but have great personality. It might take them a while to come out of their shell though. They will retreat to their main hiding spot if they get spooked, but normally they should be out and about--also depends on species and individual.
Pikes tend to be a bit cautious, but have great personality. It might take them a while to come out of their shell though. They will retreat to their main hiding spot if they get spooked, but normally they should be out and about--also depends on species and individual.
