Pikes in Uruguay

[Modest_Man]

As I'm sure most of you are aware, Ken Davis is planning two trips to Uruguay in November. I'm one of the lucky ones to be going (1st collecting trip) and I'm trying to read up all I can on the pikes in Uruguay, as I'm really ignorant.

I'm working on converting an chicken coop turned shed into a cold cichlid fish room, as temps here are usually in the 40's over the winter, with hopefully between 600-1000 gallons in a couple stock tanks/show tanks. I figure I'll heat the room into the 50's at least using radiant heat for the winter, then do room temps (probably no warmer than mid 70's in the summer). Hopefully that will be enough room for all the neat stuff we'll find (fingers crossed).

We'll be in the area of Canelones, Cerro Largo, Rivera, Tacuarembo and Durazno (south, north east and central).

Of the pkes found in Uruguay (according to www.cichlidae.com)

Crenicichla celidochilus Casciotta, 1987, native
Crenicichla lepidota Hensel, 1870, native
Crenicichla minuano Lucena & Kullander, 1992, native
Crenicichla missioneira Lucena & Kullander, 1992, native
Crenicichla punctata Hensel, 1870, native
Crenicichla scottii (Eingenmann, 1907), native
Crenicichla sp. 'Lagunera' , native
Crenicichla vittata Heckel, 1840, native

which do you think we'll have the best luck to run into?

How common are these pikes in the trade? Breeding success?

Anyone have any? Photos?

Personality in the aquarium, aggression, feeding?

Tips for IDing them, when large and small?

Anything else I should know?

I'm really just going for the hell of it, and am trying to learn up. I'll most likely just keep my mouth shut and let the experts ID everything. I just want to make sure I don't get scammed on the fish I get to take home. And maybe if you're all nice to me now, I can send some your guys' way when I get back.

Things to read

http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/5491/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/5491/uruguay.html
http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/5491/uru2006/uruguay2006.html
http://www.aqvaterra.com
http://www.cichlaholic.com/uruguay07.html

 

[evilxyardxgnome]

Nice read!

 

[ShadowStryder]

Congrats on the trip, Wish I had the time for something like that.
If you are taking orders I have a couple that I wouldn't mind having.

 

[fishfarm]

Howdy Jamie, Thought I'd post this here also, Uruguay, last week of November with Spencer Jack. Local guide and wholesaler (Felipe Cantera http://www.aqvaterra.com/) will go with us and take care of the fish, Lots of Gymnogeophagus, Cichlasoma and Crenichicla. About $2,000 for everthing from Miami (exact total depends on where you will be flying in from) including airfare (from Miami), food, lodgeing, rental cars, gas, export permits, exc.
8-10 people max.
2-3 spots are still available.
Spence: spenjack@gmail.com
Ken: fishfarm@mindspring.com
http://www.cichlaholic.com/uruguay07.html
We will be limited by Uruguay law on how many fish we can bring back per person.
40 cichlids
15 pike cichlids (they seperated them out)
60 tetras
20 whisker mouth catfish
20 suckermouth catfish

 

[ShadowStryder]

Hey Peanut are you or any of the other regulars getting in on this. Wish I had the time and money.
Besides I could here what my better half would say. If youre gonna go on a vacation like that then WE should go somewhere ROMANTIC.

 

[fish speaker]

Hey Peanut are you or any of the other regulars getting in on this. Wish I had the time and money.
Besides I could here what my better half would say. If youre gonna go on a vacation like that then WE should go somewhere ROMANTIC.

Let's see...they speak Spanish in Uruguay. Spanish, being based on latin, is referred to as a romance language. I don't see a problem...she should go with you.

Unfortunately, this one is out for me, too: end of any month is off limits to me, and that particular month end is fiscal year-end for a big client.

 

[Modest_Man]

I'm not gonna lie, it's gonna be badass.

So is that 40 cichlids, +15 pikes, or the pikes a part of the 40 cichlid limit?

Hope we all max out.

 

[Pirwhana]

I think Spencer Jack said the pikes were separate from the total cichlids when he talked at the MN aquarium society.

 

[softturtle]

I got a few bills for some C. celidochilus or C. punctata if you got extras.

 

[Celtic Samurai]

Sounds like a blast. Good luck.

softturtle- Jeff Rapps has some punctata on his list for $40.