Planted community pike tank

[turtle_slayer]

I was told that it was difficult to have a community pike tank but it could be done. I was told cichlids and planted tanks dont go well together. I was also told that it was not a good idea to put red hooks in a planted tank. Well I never did do what I was told, why should I start now.

 

[Siklid]

that is beautiful! you have alot of of pretty cichlids in there. How big is your tank? What kind of pike is it? I am planning on getting a pike soon, something small in size. Any suggestion?

 

[turtle_slayer]

that is beautiful! you have alot of of pretty cichlids in there. How big is your tank? What kind of pike is it? I am planning on getting a pike soon, something small in size. Any suggestion?

Thank you, its a 180 wide.

I have two pike in there the one on the bottom at about 4:00 is a female and the smaller darker one at about 11:00 between the two red hooks is a male I think. They are both Cobra Pike \ Tapajos II

Bellycrawlers arent as colorful but they are inexpensive, easy to find, Petsmarts have them occasionally, and they have alot of personality. Think of them as an Oscar with a thyroid problem. They really bond with their owners. Mine takes food from my hand (still am trying to get him to jump out of the water for it) I can put my hand in the water and pet him. It's like having a very small very wet dog. That would be my choice for a first pike. Peanut and the others know much more about pikes than I do. They should have some very good suggestions.

Here is a list of fish in the tank. I'll list them in their pecking order.

2 Convicts : Attack anything that gets near their nest in the skull including the big pike. They even bite me (its like a practical joke hand buzzer it doesnt hurt it just scares the crap out of you if your not ready for it)
2 Cobra Pike : Meaner than a dog sh**ing tacks. The Female hates the convicts but gets double teamed by them. Their days are numbered.
4 Red Hook Silver Dollars : They arent pirahnas but they still have a set of sharp teeth that gains them respect. When they bite something the scales fly.
2 Red Terrors : The big one is a female the little a male. Lets just say they don't call them terrors for nothing.
2 Veja : I'm not sure what type they are they were sold as red heads. They get meaner by the day. Eventually they will be at the top of the list with the pikes.
1 Jack Dempsey : He's very arggresive during feeding but is falling down the chart as the others get bigger.
1 Sailfin Pleco : The big pike tears into it all the time but its thick hide has saved it so far.
1 Salvini : Fights with the convicts alot but runs from everything else.

 

[Titania]

That's a GORGEOUS tank, Turtle! I'm VERY suprised that the red hooks are leaving the plants alone, mine definitely view any plant material as the salad bar. I love how you used the slate pieces to make caves.

 

[Bawb2u]

How long has the tank been up and running in this configuration?

 

[killerfish]

AWESOME tank man truely beutiful don't change a thing i would love to keep my cichlids in a planted tank i think the key is deep rooted plants and plenty of territories so they don't feal the need to pull them up to make more room

 

[turtle_slayer]

How long has the tank been up and running in this configuration?

About 6 months

The gravel is fluorite (contains iron and essentials for the plants) but it is also sharp edged. I actually cut my hand on a sharp piece while rooting a plant. It also kinda locks together so it stays put and cant be pushed around.

I have two FX5 pumps with each flow directed through a long 3/4 pvc tube with holes down its length. It makes a fast current right up against the front sheet of glass. I dont have any plants planted in that area. That is were the red hooks swim constantly. They only leave the current to eat, and sleep.

I also feed them cucumbers and peas, so there fat and content.

The big pike doesnt let anything sit in the caves, they are hers. All the fish swim in the upper 3/4 of the tank to keep from getting corn holed by her. The pleco is the only exception but he looks like he got beat with a bag of nails so he definitely pays for his trespassing.

I just noticed the convicts had babies. It's going to get interesting. The pike and the convicts are mortal enemies.