Hi I am looking at getting a crenicichla cf. lugubris red tapajos for my 120 gallon and want some suggestions for tank mates as I have never kept pike before. There are currently only red hook silver dollars in the tank, but they will be moved to the 220 gallon before I get the pike. Also am I correct that the tapajos is the reddest pike available? Thank you
Tank Mates For Red Tapajos
- Thread starter BAM_74
- Start date
Your 120 will be a bit tight for them if you have a school of silver dollars. They usually leave other fish too big to swallow alone unless they see them as a threat; namely other pikes. They won’t back down from other more aggressive fish either.
They need clean oxygenated water and they like cover to hide in. Fascinating fish. If you keep a low stock, you might be able to keel a pair in there for a while but ultimately, you’d want a 150-180.
I think they are the reddest and they are among my favorites.
They need clean oxygenated water and they like cover to hide in. Fascinating fish. If you keep a low stock, you might be able to keel a pair in there for a while but ultimately, you’d want a 150-180.
I think they are the reddest and they are among my favorites.
Thank you so much for the info. I think keeping a pair would be very interesting. Before I would get them the silver dollars will be moving to my 220 with peacock bass. So this will be an empty tank. It’s a plywood 120 that I built and it is deeper than the standard measuring 51” long, 23 1/4” deep and 21.5” tall (inside dimensions). How do they do in a pair as far as aggression goes? Is it just important to make sure and have separate cover for both of them? Here is a picture of the tank
I would give plenty of hiding places in case the male is intolerant of the female or vice versa. Get a few youngsters and let them pair naturally. Crenicichla bonds are very strong. Not like what you may be used to with other new world cichlids. But until you get there, expect aggression between them.
That tank should work for a pair long term but little else as far as mates. I like using Severums as mates for pikes.
That tank should work for a pair long term but little else as far as mates. I like using Severums as mates for pikes.
You might have to use lots of ugly cheap PVC pipes until you can get a pair. Generally, at least twice the amount of pipes as there will be pikes, e.g. 4 pikes, 8 pvc pipes
If I already cichlids (CA/SA American) in my 150 gallon. What size should I get the Red tapajos pike- if most of my cichlids are between 2.5- 5inch ????
Get them smaller than 6” I’d say. Who’s your source? Been trying to get some as well. Thanks!