Thinking about getting into pikes

[Charney]

I have been playing with the idea of getting into pikes. Aquascape used to always have lenticulata that I was fascinated with. There are a couple of other pikes out there that I am really interested in but feel like the lents could be a good start. I am interested in getting a male / female pair. Most of what I have read said a 90g would be big enough for the two. Is this true? they can get fairly sizable. Also would it be best to have target fish in the tank too? If so what are people using? I have been using mainly a variety of silver dollars for my other tanks

 

[ryansmith83]

I think a 90g would be a bad idea. I kept two lents in a 210 (72" x 24") and they ruled that whole tank. They also beat the crap out of each other on occasion. You're dealing with something that can grow well over a foot long and has a bad attitude.

If you want to start with smaller, less nasty pikes, pick something from the saxatilis group. If you want lents or some other lugubris types, I'd suggest at least a 6' tank for the adults.

 

[crenicichla444]

I think a 90g would be a bad idea. I kept two lents in a 210 (72" x 24") and they ruled that whole tank. They also beat the crap out of each other on occasion. You're dealing with something that can grow well over a foot long and has a bad attitude.

If you want to start with smaller, less nasty pikes, pick something from the saxatilis group. If you want lents or some other lugubris types, I'd suggest at least a 6' tank for the adults.

+1 I'd say minimum tank size dedicated for a bonded pair of lugubris pikes is a 125. Even that is pushing it IMO. But if you can upgrade they'd be awesome. I've kept many pikes over the years. I've finally tracked down a 10 year old xingu 1 male. Haven't seen them in 10 years lol they're awesome get the marmoratas from aquascape there awesome when they grow up.
Target fish are good silver dollars are good I prefer using cyprinids since they're less skittish. Helps the pikes get off live food better, be more active, and reduce aggression.
Good luck whatever you decide to do


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Charney]

Thank you for the input. What cyprinids do you like to use that are tough enough to last but don't get too large?

I plan on starting with the lents (though depending on availability could be marms) but pretty quickly try to acquire the marmoratas, zebrina, and jegui (just something about the frogheads).

 

[crenicichla444]

Thank you for the input. What cyprinids do you like to use that are tough enough to last but don't get too large?

I plan on starting with the lents (though depending on availability could be marms) but pretty quickly try to acquire the marmoratas, zebrina, and jegui (just something about the frogheads).

Jegui and Lents and marms are very aggressive for a pair they'll defiantly need more than a 125. Aquascape and snookn21 both have marms I am still tempted to pick a couple up. Jegui are very rare ask discus origins or rapps they had them earlier last year. I use opsariichthys evolans and filametosa barbs as dither they're both super awesome fish and tough. They could easily be a centerpiece fish as well


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Charney]

Jegui and Lents and marms are very aggressive for a pair they'll defiantly need more than a 125. Aquascape and snookn21 both have marms I am still tempted to pick a couple up. Jegui are very rare ask discus origins or rapps they had them earlier last year. I use opsariichthys evolans and filametosa barbs as dither they're both super awesome fish and tough. They could easily be a centerpiece fish as well


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

Thank you for the reply. Think 180s would work per pair? I used to have a group of filametosa barbs and gave them away. Looks like I will be getting more. I won't be acting on these to soon. Probably another three months are so. I am in the process of moving and already have the plans down for the fish room and my contractor ready. I have been idle while patiently waiting, but once in I plan on going back at it full force (especially getting my pleco back to where it was). For the jegui I was banking on either Mark or Jeff getting them. Plus I am hoping to get some more Panda uaru from Mark.

Also what do most people use for caves for these large fish that both can fit in?

 

[crenicichla444]

Thank you for the reply. Think 180s would work per pair? I used to have a group of filametosa barbs and gave them away. Looks like I will be getting more. I won't be acting on these to soon. Probably another three months are so. I am in the process of moving and already have the plans down for the fish room and my contractor ready. I have been idle while patiently waiting, but once in I plan on going back at it full force (especially getting my pleco back to where it was). For the jegui I was banking on either Mark or Jeff getting them. Plus I am hoping to get some more Panda uaru from Mark.

Also what do most people use for caves for these large fish that both can fit in?

Pvc pipe or large Pleco caves. Can also use rocks and stack them. I use pvc


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[crenicichla444]

Thank you for the reply. Think 180s would work per pair? I used to have a group of filametosa barbs and gave them away. Looks like I will be getting more. I won't be acting on these to soon. Probably another three months are so. I am in the process of moving and already have the plans down for the fish room and my contractor ready. I have been idle while patiently waiting, but once in I plan on going back at it full force (especially getting my pleco back to where it was). For the jegui I was banking on either Mark or Jeff getting them. Plus I am hoping to get some more Panda uaru from Mark.

Also what do most people use for caves for these large fish that both can fit in?

Yes I think the 180 will work for quite awhile but all the pike species you want to keep are notorious for being extremely aggressive. Also all those pikes can reach 16 inches+ or more. While there are examples of calm individuals many lenticulata and Jegui and cf. Jegui are reported to be very aggressive. Marmorata are also pretty aggressive but I haven't heard as many horror stories. Probably because they're so rare I guess lol. I do remember someone's Jegui was trying to decapitate his eartheaters by grabbing their heads and visciously shaking them. They aren't very active but easier to maintain than lenticulata or marmorata. Lents and marms can be susceptible to neuromast and lateral line erosion aka hole in the head as they age. They need cleaner water and lower nitrate. But they are much prettier and active. Personally I'd get the Rio Trombetas marmorata snookn21 has right now best bang for your buck they're only 4-5 inches right now you can even throw a small one in a 20-40 breeder temporarily and they aren't very aggressive at this size. From scatocephalus a member here's experience on them I wouldn't do a Jegui unless it was a good price. He reported them very easy to keep but very fearless powerful fish not afraid of anything to the point where he thought they won't even coexist with a large dovii or red devil. He said they're fairly boring and mainly wait for food lying on the bottom. If you get any of those pikes make sure that the filametosa barbs are big enough not to her swallowed. Good luck pikes are awesome fish that deserve more love on the forum


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Charney]

Yes I think the 180 will work for quite awhile but all the pike species you want to keep are notorious for being extremely aggressive. Also all those pikes can reach 16 inches+ or more. While there are examples of calm individuals many lenticulata and Jegui and cf. Jegui are reported to be very aggressive. Marmorata are also pretty aggressive but I haven't heard as many horror stories. Probably because they're so rare I guess lol. I do remember someone's Jegui was trying to decapitate his eartheaters by grabbing their heads and visciously shaking them. They aren't very active but easier to maintain than lenticulata or marmorata. Lents and marms can be susceptible to neuromast and lateral line erosion aka hole in the head as they age. They need cleaner water and lower nitrate. But they are much prettier and active. Personally I'd get the Rio Trombetas marmorata snookn21 has right now best bang for your buck they're only 4-5 inches right now you can even throw a small one in a 20-40 breeder temporarily and they aren't very aggressive at this size. From scatocephalus a member here's experience on them I wouldn't do a Jegui unless it was a good price. He reported them very easy to keep but very fearless powerful fish not afraid of anything to the point where he thought they won't even coexist with a large dovii or red devil. He said they're fairly boring and mainly wait for food lying on the bottom. If you get any of those pikes make sure that the filametosa barbs are big enough not to her swallowed. Good luck pikes are awesome fish that deserve more love on the forum


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

Great thank you.
There is a Marmorata pair I have my eye on. Hopefully they are still around in a month

 

[crenicichla444]

Great thank you.
There is a Marmorata pair I have my eye on. Hopefully they are still around in a month

How much is are they asking?? Are they from the rio trombetas? I actually picked up a 15 inch xingu 1 pike yesterday. He's so big I don't know if filament barbs or evolans will be ok with him. He tried to chew off a 6-7+inch geophagus tail as Soon as he got acclimated. Eventually Lents and marms can get that big. Good luck with whatever you chose to do.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app