Quick Compatability Question on Pikes

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twhittle

twhittle

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
Feb 8, 2007
1,810
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Clarkston, Wa
I have had an 8 inch Saxatilias for awhile in my 120 gallon tank. He holds is own but is not a killer. I just picked up a 12-13 inch Venezuelan today. I am thinking about introducing him to my 120. I know that anything could happen and I will monitor closely. The question is, has any had any luck keeping the two types together? What is the likely outcome? Thanks.
 
Have I stumped everyone?
 
You should be fine. My Venezuelan gets along fine with my full grown africans and they aren't even as large as your Saxatilias even though my pike is larger than yours. I also have them in a much smaller tank than you are considering. The thing to know about Venezuelans is that they don't try to bully other fish around at all but they will try to eat anything they can fit in their mouths. In my experience that includes any fish up to around 4". If anything you might want to rearrange the decor when you add the pike to keep your saxatilias from being overly aggressive with the pike at first. The pike will need a long dark cave or PVC pipe to feel comfortable. Once they get comfortable they will come out a lot though, especially in a tank as large as yours.
 
I think your sax will be in trouble. Pikes can be cool with other fish but usually intolerant of other pikes or pike shaped fish. It can sometimes be done with lots of cover and hiding spaces, or a big enough tank. It might work out but be prepared to move one of them.
 
Pikes and other pikes for the most part don't work.
 
clgkag makes a valid point. Any time you mix two species that are that similar there is the potential for aggression between them. If they each have a hiding place on opposite sides you might be okay but you never know for sure.
 
I think adding that Venezuelan is a bad move. Nothing against the fish, but its still got a lot of growth and your Saxatilias is near full grown for that species. If you dont have problems now, you'll have problems in the future.

Mixing the two species could be a hit, or a really big wet violent mess!

As for hiding places, 4" black PVC joints are awesome and cheaper than a fancy polyresin decoration.

Good luck!
 
Thanks everyone. Since I have several tanks, I am going to give it a shot and watch closely.
 
So far so good
 
It COULD work out. I've messed with mixing different groups of pikes, and it seems mixing Lugubris and Saxatilis can work out as long as you don't go all out crazy, or they are small enough to get eaten.

Definitely keep an eye on them though, that ven is large enough to do some serious damage to the sax.
 
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