Pike Questions?

[PaiLum92]

I am wanting to keep a few Pikes (Cichlids), if possible..

- I have a 72g tank. Around how many pikes may i be able to keep without overcrowding? Do they get along with each other? should i only get 1? if so, what are some good tank mates?
- How aggressive are they? I will have a pleco, so i do not want to wake up and find a carcass floating around...
- Tank is river rock (Gravel), with some rocks i found in nature, plus some wierd looking fake grass. Should this be an ok habitat?
- 2 Emperor 400 filters, plus some random powerhead, should this be enough filtration?
- How active are they? Are they active swimmers, or will they hide in caves, etc all day?
- What are thier feeding habits? Will they accept tilapia, shrimp, etc? Or only pellets, such as massivore?
- Any other good advice?

 

[franklinfish]

i dont know much about the big ones but a belly crawler dwarf pike should work. as tankmates go anything non aggressive and a bit bigger than him would work. dont put in small fish because the next day youll have a fat pike

 

[iHonesty]

I agree with fanklinfish. Belly crawlers are a great start, I just got another one a week ago and hes in with a royal pleco of about 1 inch, the pike is about 2 inches long. He'll be okay as long as you keep him well fed. I give mine frozen bloodworm cubes, because belly crawlers dont really want to be anywhere besides the very bottom, and bloodworms sink =) with that being said, 'sharp' substrate isnt good for them. They are bottom dwellers, so your bichirs and plecos will be in competition for territory. With belly crawlers, they tend to hide for awhile as you have them. they love to be under rocks, in plants, etc. If you're looking for a more active ike, try to find a sveni or smaller pike. The svenis get pretty good size depending on the tank you have them in. 8-10" or so. hope that helps a little!