Ok im deciding wether or not to keep my 60 discus or change to pikes. So first question is can any go in a 60 (48*12*24)? If so what kinds? Also i like to have higly decorated tankes (live and fake) will this be fine with them? ALso any other tips you sugest. Pikes will probley be the only species in there. Thanks
Pikes in a 60? And a couple ofther questions
- Thread starter stingray man
- Start date
Wow, that is a SERIOUS change there man. I would think about this a little harder, as going from that many Discus to Crenicichla is gonna be some serious changes. Crenicichla are aggressive, predators, and can be a pain in the butt some times. Totally different end of the spectrum when it comes to Discus. You're not gonna be able to keep the same amount of pikes as compared to your discus as well. In a tank that size, one pair of Saxatilis or Dwarf pikes will work pretty well, but any more than that and you will be pushing your luck. Do you have any other tankz?
Regarding the plants, no problems. Crenicichla are some of the few SA cichlids that can be safely housed in a planted, well decorated tank. They generally aren't diggers, and don't tear up the aquascaping like most other cichlids will, so no worries there.
Seriously think about this some more, if you DO decide you want to go with Crenicichla, GREAT! Then we can work on it from there. If not, no worries man!
Regarding the plants, no problems. Crenicichla are some of the few SA cichlids that can be safely housed in a planted, well decorated tank. They generally aren't diggers, and don't tear up the aquascaping like most other cichlids will, so no worries there.
Seriously think about this some more, if you DO decide you want to go with Crenicichla, GREAT! Then we can work on it from there. If not, no worries man!
i do relize that it is a drastic change and that is why i am weighing the two sides. yes i do like discus and i no alot of discus breeders. Know thtat u said i could only have 2 or so pikes that might make be stay with discus. As for any other tanks im getting a pond for my rays and arowana. But i dont no how good a pike looks from on top. What do you think?
Pikes look great in ponds/pools! 
Especially since having them in a pond/indoor pool they have to be the larger species *Lugubris* so they generally have more color and size to them!
In that 60gal tank you could have other cichlids and fish, but generally pikes are 'best' kept solo or as pairs. When you start getting up into the larger tanks and the like though, its possible to push your luck and have several species live together. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
What you would do if you decided to get some pikes is find some type of Saxatilis pike, buy a group of three to six of them, and grow them up together. Then as they reach sexual maturity, hopefully they will start to pair up. You will then want to remove the other pikes, for their health/safety and your ease of mind.
Especially since having them in a pond/indoor pool they have to be the larger species *Lugubris* so they generally have more color and size to them! In that 60gal tank you could have other cichlids and fish, but generally pikes are 'best' kept solo or as pairs. When you start getting up into the larger tanks and the like though, its possible to push your luck and have several species live together. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
What you would do if you decided to get some pikes is find some type of Saxatilis pike, buy a group of three to six of them, and grow them up together. Then as they reach sexual maturity, hopefully they will start to pair up. You will then want to remove the other pikes, for their health/safety and your ease of mind.
So your saying that pikes look good in ponds? is that because they are a wider fish? I will take you word on it. Mite find if pikes can go with rays they can go with aros right?
As long as the pike isn't too small to be eaten by the aro it should be fine. Or the other way around...lol. They occupy different areas in the tank/pool so they should be aight, plus given all that space, should be quite fine.
They are robust, and large, so seeing them is pretty easy. They are like most fish in a pool though, your not gonna see all their splendor....
They are robust, and large, so seeing them is pretty easy. They are like most fish in a pool though, your not gonna see all their splendor....
Don't just got and get any pike though, you gotta think it out. Aim for Lugubris pikes, don't get sp. venezuela, as you will not like their adult coloration. Crenicichla lenticulata, Crenicichla marmorata, Crenicichla sp. 'cobra', Crenicichla 'tapajos red'....those are just a few that would look great.
Ken (Fish Farm) has some sp. 'cobra' right now for quite the killer of a price.
Ken (Fish Farm) has some sp. 'cobra' right now for quite the killer of a price.
Is this a good pike peanut its right buy me for $50 at 11".
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109574&page=2
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109574&page=2