Pike cichlid

[Texas321]

Who keeps them? Are they real aggressive? They seem like cool fish.

 

[duanes]

There is a section in the Cichlid Section just for pike cichlids.
But anyway, there are over 100 different species of pike cichlids, there are giants, dwarfs, warm water species, cool water species from souther South American, there are non-aggressive and gonzo aggressive types, there are colorful, and not so colorful.

 

[Texas321]

I'll have to try and find out what this one is. They never have them and they had one so doubt they get anymore. Trying to decide if I want to get it. It was just labeled pike cichlid so not real sure what kind.

 

[duanes]

above is Crenicichla saxatillis "Uruguay" a cool water species. I kept them without a heater, and water temps in winter hit 50 degrees F
Below is Crenicichla sp Belly Crawler, a warmer water species from northern S America.
Both would swallow any fish that fit in their mouth, although with species they couldn't swallow, aggression was minimal.

A word or caution, I got 10 young belly crawlers (@ 2") at a GCCA (Greater Chicago Cichlid Assn) auction and put them in in a 6 ft tank, the one above ( a female) ate all its brothers and sisters within about 1 week