Pike Requirements

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Mr Cracker2u

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 5, 2007
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Phnx az
I am new to Pike Chiclids and would like to ask what would be an typical set up? I haven't had much luck finding decent info besides here.

Tank size

substrate

aquascape

any special needs

co-inhabitants or solitary

Do male and females pair up easily

I have become fasinated by these fish recently and I have decided over the next year I will be setting up a Pike system.
 
You need to spend some time looking up the various pikes and see which species you prefer. As it stands there is no way to answer your question as there are pikes ranging in size from 3" up to 24". They come from waters as cold as 50 degrees up to the mid 90's. They come from waters with no plants, waters with lots of plants, fast running, stagnant, clear, white, black. Some are more peaceful than others. Some are highly intollerant of tankmates.

Go here and look around. http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/5491/index.html Once you have a better idea what you like go ahead and ask away.
 
First and foremost, WELCOME TO MFK!! Secondly, THANK YOU FOR CHECKIN OUT THE CRENICICHLA FORUM!!! Its new members like you that keep us running! :D Glad you decided to take the plunge! Pikes are totally awesome fish, tons of different species, and PLENTY of personality to go around!

Typical Set-Up: A typical set-up for Crenicichla involves plenty of space. Generally speaking, the more the better. They can be aggressive fish, so they need their own little 'bubble' so to say. They are normally kept with larger CA/SA cichlids. Some people keep their pikes with Jags, Viejas, Red Terrors, Severums, and even some Satanoperca/Geophagus. Really it all depends on your species of pike, as some pikes it would NOT be a good idea to keep them with some of these fish.

Tank size: Like Mark said, pikes can range from 3" to 24" (although its hard to get them that big, it is possible). So generally we tell people that the MINIMUM for dwarf pikes is 30gal. For the larger pikes like Saxatilis group pikes the MINIMUM would be a 50gal, and for Lugubris group pikes, the MINIMUM would be 75gal. You want to go bigger though, so normally add at least 20 to 25gal to the minimum and thats a better size for them...;).

Aquascape: Most people that keep their pikes have them in as natural of a setup as possible. This means gravel/sand (all my tanks are sand, just looks better, but thats me), rocks, and driftwood. Generally, the more hiding places and decorations, the more comfortable your pike is gonna feel, so the more you will see it. Having dither fish in there like Silver Dollars or other DEEP BODIED fish that are active help as well.

One thing that MANY of us do that helps out oodles is add pieces of PVC pipe. It looks kinda outa place, but you can silicone rocks to them if you want, or driftwood. What these do is allow the pikes a place to get away that other fish can't get to. Make them at least 2" longer than the pikes, and just big enough for them to fit. Say you have a 1/2" thick pike, you would get 3/4" PVC...;)

Any Special Needs: Pikes are pretty easy to take care of. You don't really have to do anything special with them. Just make sure that you keep up on waterchanges, and give them a varied diet.


Co-inhabitants or Solitary: Are you talkin about other fish or other pikes? It really depends on the pike, individually. Pikes have personalities, no pike from the same species is the same. What might work with one pike might not work with another pike of the same species. Generally though you can keep them with other fish no problem.

With other pikes is a different story. Pikes can be annoyingly bad with Conspecific aggression. In other words they really aren't fond of other pikes. When they are younger, it is easier to keep them in groups of three or more. Sometimes if you grow them up this way you will be able to keep them together for the long haul. Most of the time though you don't get this lucky. Its normally best to either keep them as pairs, or as solo pikes in the tank. Adding NEW pikes to a tank that already has pikes is tricky at best. If you decide to add a new pike, its better to add a group of them so that the aggression is spread out, and try to make sure they are close to the same size.

Do Males and Females Pair Up Easily: Wish I could say yes, but the answer is somewhere inbetween...:nilly:. Normally when you get pikes and you want a pair out of them, you buy three or more of them. The more the better actually. You grow them up together and let them NATURALLY pair up. Once they have paired up, IF they pair up, you normally remove the other pikes from the tank or they will pretty much get beat to death. If your tank is large enough though, you might be able to get away with more than one pair in there. Generally though, just buying two pikes and expecting them to pair up is a shot in the dark. It can happen, but most of the time it doesn't.

Some people keep multiple adult pikes in the same tank with no problems, so it can be done though, so don't give up.



Hopefully you will be setting up a pike system sooner than a year, the sooner the better! Lemme know if this helped you out any, if there are any more questions, be sure to ask them! Definately check out the site that Mark listed! Its a VERY informative one, well worth the reading!
 
Gr8 info Peanut, thanks!
 
Thanks much Peanut. I will be asking more questions.

Currently I am setting up an 80gln black water tank (live plants apistos and cardinals in the dinning room, good for the digestion) so the pike will have to wait.

I am thinking of pikes in the 12" - 16" range, exotic with a bad demeanor honestly. Housed in a 200+ tank. I would like to try my hand a breading them. So a year to get them set up properly without any corners cut or skimping one equipment isn't out of line.

I have a 240gln chiclid comunity already with Large SAs and african dithers great tank very colorful and active. It's not Mayberry in there....LOL
 
Peanut_Power;1261616; said:
First and foremost, WELCOME TO MFK!! Secondly, THANK YOU FOR CHECKIN OUT THE CRENICICHLA FORUM!!! Its new members like you that keep us running! :D Glad you decided to take the plunge! Pikes are totally awesome fish, tons of different species, and PLENTY of personality to go around!

Typical Set-Up: A typical set-up for Crenicichla involves plenty of space. Generally speaking, the more the better. They can be aggressive fish, so they need their own little 'bubble' so to say. They are normally kept with larger CA/SA cichlids. Some people keep their pikes with Jags, Viejas, Red Terrors, Severums, and even some Satanoperca/Geophagus. Really it all depends on your species of pike, as some pikes it would NOT be a good idea to keep them with some of these fish.

Tank size: Like Mark said, pikes can range from 3" to 24" (although its hard to get them that big, it is possible). So generally we tell people that the MINIMUM for dwarf pikes is 30gal. For the larger pikes like Saxatilis group pikes the MINIMUM would be a 50gal, and for Lugubris group pikes, the MINIMUM would be 75gal. You want to go bigger though, so normally add at least 20 to 25gal to the minimum and thats a better size for them...;).

Aquascape: Most people that keep their pikes have them in as natural of a setup as possible. This means gravel/sand (all my tanks are sand, just looks better, but thats me), rocks, and driftwood. Generally, the more hiding places and decorations, the more comfortable your pike is gonna feel, so the more you will see it. Having dither fish in there like Silver Dollars or other DEEP BODIED fish that are active help as well.

One thing that MANY of us do that helps out oodles is add pieces of PVC pipe. It looks kinda outa place, but you can silicone rocks to them if you want, or driftwood. What these do is allow the pikes a place to get away that other fish can't get to. Make them at least 2" longer than the pikes, and just big enough for them to fit. Say you have a 1/2" thick pike, you would get 3/4" PVC...;)

Any Special Needs: Pikes are pretty easy to take care of. You don't really have to do anything special with them. Just make sure that you keep up on waterchanges, and give them a varied diet.


Co-inhabitants or Solitary: Are you talkin about other fish or other pikes? It really depends on the pike, individually. Pikes have personalities, no pike from the same species is the same. What might work with one pike might not work with another pike of the same species. Generally though you can keep them with other fish no problem.

With other pikes is a different story. Pikes can be annoyingly bad with Conspecific aggression. In other words they really aren't fond of other pikes. When they are younger, it is easier to keep them in groups of three or more. Sometimes if you grow them up this way you will be able to keep them together for the long haul. Most of the time though you don't get this lucky. Its normally best to either keep them as pairs, or as solo pikes in the tank. Adding NEW pikes to a tank that already has pikes is tricky at best. If you decide to add a new pike, its better to add a group of them so that the aggression is spread out, and try to make sure they are close to the same size.

Do Males and Females Pair Up Easily: Wish I could say yes, but the answer is somewhere inbetween...:nilly:. Normally when you get pikes and you want a pair out of them, you buy three or more of them. The more the better actually. You grow them up together and let them NATURALLY pair up. Once they have paired up, IF they pair up, you normally remove the other pikes from the tank or they will pretty much get beat to death. If your tank is large enough though, you might be able to get away with more than one pair in there. Generally though, just buying two pikes and expecting them to pair up is a shot in the dark. It can happen, but most of the time it doesn't.

Some people keep multiple adult pikes in the same tank with no problems, so it can be done though, so don't give up.



Hopefully you will be setting up a pike system sooner than a year, the sooner the better! Lemme know if this helped you out any, if there are any more questions, be sure to ask them! Definately check out the site that Mark listed! Its a VERY informative one, well worth the reading!
Click to expand...
def. my favorite mod! look what he does for us crenicihla-maniacs! wow! P_P you rule!
 
Here you go again Peanut, turning another to the darkside.
Welcome to the Crenicichla side of the MFK. Definitely listen to Peanut and Scat
they are both very imformative with there info.
 
Bravo on the explanation Peanut!!! Excellent info that I too needed! Thank you.
 
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