Saxatilis information help

[Frank Castle]

I just ordered 4 Saxatilis for $20 which I thought was a great deal. I'm just getting more into Pikes at this point, so I don't know much about them and I have a few questions:

1.) What is the Max size for this species?
2.) How do I sex them?
3.) At what size can they be sexed?
4.) Do they have any special requirements or can I treat them as I would most CA/SA cichlids?
5.) If I keep them w/ my Svenii Pike will there be a risk of hybridization?
6.) How aggressive are they and what fish should I avoid keeping them with, besides fish that can fit in their mouths, obviously.
7.) Any other helpful information you guys can offer?

 

[duanes]

First off, we need to know what location of saxitillus, some are from the tropical areas of Brazil, or some the temperate areas of Uruguay.
My Uruguayan type took temps down to 50F during a winter cool down, and almost 80 in summer.
The females get a rosy red beer belly

the males were more sleek and didn't show the red, female foreground, male behind.
In the below the one in my hand they are young, only about 4", mine easily hit 8".

male above

I kept my Uruguayans with other cool water species, Australoheros red ceibal and Gymnogeophagus

I also kept belly crawlers, a more tropical variant. I started with 10, and the dominant female ate all her brothers and sisters. A friend who bought some at the same fish auction, ended up with 1 male out of 10,
females have spots on the dorsal in this species, and get a beer belly.
I kept them with other non-pikes such as Acarichthys, Guianacara and Mesoheros ornatum.
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