Pike Cichlid with Jack Dempsey? Can it Work?

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MonsterCichlids75

Candiru
MFK Member
Feb 15, 2012
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Boston, MA
hey everyone, my LFS got in some pike cichlids which i've successfully identified to be Crenicichla Sp. "belly crawler"
From my understanding, the belly crawlers don't get big, and range from an adult size of 4-6 inches. I've kept pretty much all the central and south american cichlid families EXCEPT pike cichlid, so please correct me if my info is off. Anyway, they are very interesting little guys and they are about 3.5 inches long currently. I was wondering if i could keep a belly crawler in a 75 gallon tank with a pair jack dempsey cichlids. The jacks i already have, and they are both about 4 inches. As the fish grow, would 75 be enough to accommodate the jacks and the pike? If the jacks breed will i run into major aggression problems between them and the pike? If i was just to keep the pike cichlid with one jack dempsey instead of a pair, would that work better? Sorry about all the questions, just let me know what you guys think!
Thanks,
Chris
 
oh and also, would a male or female pike cichlid be a better choice? I've heard that with belly crawlers, one of the two sexes with show a black spot on their dorsal fin...i can't remember whether thats the male or female so if anyone could help out with that, that would be much appreciated
 
Should work just fine. Only issues would be with spawning\fry. The dempseys will be protective and the pike will be trying to eat the fry. Given hiding spaces it should still be ok.
 
^ I don't think it's going to matter what gender you choose in terms of getting along with your Dempseys.

My belly crawler is a real PITA. He gives everybody the business. Make sure he's got a place to retreat to in case he goes after your Dempseys and the Dempseys decide to fight back.
 
That should be perfect and a male pike cichlid but you could get make and female pike cichlid all of your fish will take care of eachothers fry that way if they all have spawned and mated
 
Yes.
 
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