Questions about strigata vs venezuelian

[Madou]

Hey guys,

As I read some about pikes, I ended up with more questions than answers...

I bought 2 crenicichlas labelled as strigata, so I didn't think twice about it, and the more I read the more I saw about strigata being mostly mislabelled venezuelians, and them not being present much on stocklists if at all.

My first question is: What's the deal about Venezuelian vs Strigata?

Once I understand that, I still need to ID mine as either, and would like to know how you'd tell the difference (pictures are at the bottom of this post).

I picked those two because of the way they behaved in the LFS, always together while every other pike were alone. Are they sexable at that size? If so but you can't tell from the pictures, what should I try to shoot for pictures? Even after the move, and however big the tank is for them, they still stick together 100% of the time.

Pictures are not the best, but well, they're fast.

 

[Rocksor]

Strigata comes from eastern Brazil where it is no longer exported. Also, strigata will have a dark spot outlined in gold behind the gill plate.

first picture of an adult here

https://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=122

juvenile

 

[Madou]

Strigata comes from eastern Brazil where it is no longer exported. Also, strigata will have a dark spot outlined in gold behind the gill plate.

first picture of an adult here

https://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=122

juvenile
View attachment 1291930

Makes sense, and explains the hype for true strigatas since they're forbidden to export.

Any way to sex them?
I'm curious as I always thought they were like channas in the way that they don't "hang out" together unless a pair forms.

In this case, they're ALWAYS together. It is almost impossible for me to see one without the other nearby, and the tank is rather big for them still.

I'd love a pair

 

[Rocksor]

Makes sense, and explains the hype for true strigatas since they're forbidden to export.

Any way to sex them?
I'm curious as I always thought they were like channas in the way that they don't "hang out" together unless a pair forms.

In this case, they're ALWAYS together. It is almost impossible for me to see one without the other nearby, and the tank is rather big for them still.

I'd love a pair

Those are juveniles, and juveniles will all stick together for a bit of time, regardless of sex. Females from the lugubris family will typically have a white/clear horizontal stripe in the dorsal fin, just under the black horizontal stripe, and will display a pink belly when sexually mature. The stripe is apparent at around 6" in total length when they lose their juvenile spotting (except for lenticulata).

 

[Gourami Swami]

Look like ven's to me, although I cannot tell the difference by looking at them to be honest.
Venezuelans are great fish to own, I have a large pair which I enjoy quite a lot. And they are always together much like yours.
Good luck with them

 

[freak78]

I have a pair of stripped pike as well. Mine are always together also.

 

[Scatocephalus]

The OP has a couple of very young lenticulata.

 

[Madou]

The OP has a couple of very young lenticulata.

Works for me, they look pretty awesome!
Still alright in 180 for the next 3 years, I assume?

They've showed their first signs of "aggression" towards a new comer.
Hopefully that doesn't get worse, because right now they're the biggest pigs, so I assume they'll grow faster than most.

 

[Rocksor]

If they are lents, aggression does get worse with age.

 

[Madou]

If they are lents, aggression does get worse with age.

To what extent?
I'm not dedicating a tank to two fishes anymore, been into channas for too long.
Strong tank mates would be able to fend them off?