red atabapo pike questions.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Mustardtiger101

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Aug 1, 2013
939
88
61
Canada
I have a chance to buy a red atabapo pike, I've never owned a pike before so was wondering what their like? are they active fish or do they hide a lot? How aggressive are they? Do they do better in numbers? the seller has 3 available so I could probably get a good deal if I take all 3. Also what's the going price on them? they are around 10".


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

ImageUploadedByMonsterAquariaNetwork1423902174.126158.jpg

ImageUploadedByMonsterAquariaNetwork1423902188.108722.jpg

ImageUploadedByMonsterAquariaNetwork1423902196.665673.jpg

ImageUploadedByMonsterAquariaNetwork1423902206.123846.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: moe214
I have a trio of Atabapo 1's. They are all very active right now but they are still juveniles. They are not hiders in any way as of now. Always out and up to something. Definately were surprised with thier personalties. Took them about 2 days to eat after i got them but now they eat everything cept for pellets. They are in a 110 with a Red Devil, a Carpintis hybrid and a Jack Dempsey.

Two of them are showing signs they are going or are bonded. They have started to bully the third(smaller) pike. Not to the point where they can't share the same tank but the largest of the trio pushes him around. In addition he also messes with the Carpintis hybrid which is the largest fish in the tank.

My fish are about 7" so they haven't colored up in thier full red yet however what I find very interesting is they are like Chameleons. Some days they are freckled in thier faces, with some bands showing. Other days thier heads and tails get red. When you feed them sometimes they will get marking on thier backs, almost like marbled. The dominant one always colors up better.

Awesome fish and very happy with them. Eventually the pikes will all be in a 300, but I'm still making room for the new addition.
 
I have a chance to buy a red atabapo pike, I've never owned a pike before so was wondering what their like? are they active fish or do they hide a lot? How aggressive are they? Do they do better in numbers? the seller has 3 available so I could probably get a good deal if I take all 3. Also what's the going price on them? they are around 10".


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

They're awesome! Personally I've never kept one but I've kept pikes similar in behavior and in the same lugubris group. Just like runninamok said atabapo I are awesome! They'll beg for food and they're pretty active since they're a lugubris pike. I'd pick up all 3 to ensure they stay active and interactive. I've noticed with some pikes that they are less skittish and better fun in groups. Lugubris pikes sometimes school in the aquarium even as adults if they don't form a pair bond. Often a group of pikes will claim a territory and defend it from all tankmates. Really cool to watch like a wolf pack they tag team other fish even if there much bigger. This behavior was observed in sp. Venezuela, lenticulata, sp. lugubris, and atabapo I. I'm sure some other lugubris pikes do that too. Some canbe aggressive some aren't it just depends on their personality. They're in season right now you can get foot long adults for $125 but out of season and years when there aren't many imports of atabapo I they run around $150 sometimes more. Someone locally last year paid $200 at my lfs for a 7 incher. I definetly reccomend you get them. They're definetly fun. Check out the crenicichla forum someone has a thread about atabapo I. Caligrob has really nice one and so does chefwill. Good luck man they're one of my favorite fish


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Thanks for all the help but the seller is firm at $540 ($180 each) and I'm not willing to throw that amount of money out for a fish I have no experience with and don't even know if I'll like them. If I see another one that's a bit cheaper I'll definetly buy it.


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Thanks for all the help but the seller is firm at $540 ($180 each) and I'm not willing to throw that amount of money out for a fish I have no experience with and don't even know if I'll like them. If I see another one that's a bit cheaper I'll definetly buy it.


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

That's honestly not a bad price $125 is pretty cheap you'd see em around $150+ usually. Plus shipping 3 footlong fish will be expensive so $540 isn't bad especially locally when you can see em eat and make sure they're healthy in person.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
This my big guy Hes a true azzhole really Likes to just pick on fish Other then thtuploadfromtaptalk1423975723833.jpg great

Sent from my SM-G900P using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
I love them... but have not had any luck finding one of these "nice" pikes...lol. I have had to rehome two atabapo 1 and a marmorata because of there intense aggression... Now I am trying something different, picked up a juvie at 4 inches and will see if growing him out in a community setting works better. Obviously since i keep trying I think they are worth it! GL
 
I love them... but have not had any luck finding one of these "nice" pikes...lol. I have had to rehome two atabapo 1 and a marmorata because of there intense aggression... Now I am trying something different, picked up a juvie at 4 inches and will see if growing him out in a community setting works better. Obviously since i keep trying I think they are worth it! GL

It all depends on their personality. I had peaceful Venezuela and others while I have punctata blue 33 one of the most violent pikes I've kept... Kept my Venezuela with tarpon, bichirs archer fish and sds and more. Venezuela are supposedly similar in temperament to atabapo I many people say they're pretty mean but it all depends


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
It all depends on their personality. I had peaceful Venezuela and others while I have punctata blue 33 one of the most violent pikes I've kept... Kept my Venezuela with tarpon, bichirs archer fish and sds and more. Venezuela are supposedly similar in temperament to atabapo I many people say they're pretty mean but it all depends


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

My Old Atabapo 1 almost killed a bonded pair of festae bigger then he was....
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com