Why Did You Start Keeping Crenicichla?

[Peanut_Power]

Just like the title says, why did you start keeping Crenicichla.

For me, I am always attracted to the stuff that is unusual, against the norm. When I saw my first pike (Crenicichla sp. bellycrawler) I knew I had to have it. Couldn't buy it fast enough. Ever since then I have been nothing but hooked.

For about the first three years I was keeping Crenicichla I felt like I was alone. I knew nothing about them really, or knew that really any other people kept. Then I found an online forum and my whole view was changed!!! I wasn't alone any more, and there were so many different types of pikes available to me that I had never know about. It was like putting gasoline on the fire!!

There have been TONS of members that have inspired me and increased my passion for these incredible fish. I still look up to these people, and respect what they have to say. Without their knowledge and help I don't think I would be as versed in Crenicichla as I am today.

Crenicichla are so diverse, its practically impossible to know everything about them. Thats why we are so tight knit, because we all rely on each other to help us with problems and the like. We really are a unique breed of fish keepers that are changing the hobby as we know it!!

Anywho, thats my story. Whats yours?

 

[Mystus Redtail]

Because of you peanut.


Actually, that might not be too far from the truth, I don't know what came first I know the LFS that I frequented got some at the same time I discovered them here on MFK. It's one of those chicken or egg things. I don't know if I saw them there then looked them up, or saw them here and realized the LFS had gotten them. Either way, I'm hooked as well, and tho I only have one so far, I know that I will have more, it is one of my favorite fish!

 

[Tongue33]

Because of you peanut.

!

That was my first thougth tooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bigspizz]

The day I got my Xingu I's I was in this forum the WHOLE day....One of them did not take to my tank at first....The members here insured me, I was doing everything right...If not for that, who knows what I would have done out of panic!!! I relaxed, and these guys walked me through the whole thing, as if they were some rare, one of a kind fish (everyone knew how bad I wanted X I's).....To be honest, I never even considered a pike until all the info here made me UNDERSTAND them....They are not your daddy's fish nor are they for Lil jr..lol I have a pike in every tank a pike can go in!....Now I need big pikes! I currently keep. a 5x C. Sveni,2x Cr. sp. Belly crawler, and 2x C. Xingu I's.....

 

[pwmin]

I'm really not sure. All I can remember is deciding that I wanted one and then didn't really persue it. Then, I went to an LFS one day and saw one (had actually seen it before but didn't think much of it) and decided I wanted to do a little research before I bought it. If you've read my other thread, you know that I decided to get it (johanna) 2 days later so I went back, but he had sold it that morning so I sort of reluctantly got the other one he had (didn't look as good to me)...one of the best decisions I've made. Now, I'm hooked and keep looking for more when I go to the stores. I don't think I'll ever keep a lot, but if something I really like comes along, I will probably grab it even if it means I have to sell or trade another one.

 

[Hawkfish3.0]

My old roommate had snakeheads and I was fascinated by them. Once snakeheads were banned, I figured the closest thing I was going to get would be crenicichla. Now, I'm fascinated with my crenicichla! They're great fish with amazing personalities, not near as "cold" in temperament as snakeheads.

 

[djdlemma]

I saw some pikes at Petsmart and they were on clearance. Bought 2 because I have always wanted to own a pike (even if they were from Petsamrt). Once I bought them the worker and her supervisor gave each other a high five They said that the pikes were were eating all of the fish with them, that's why they were on sale. Lol! My bellycrawlers are dope!! So glad I bought them!

 

[Passionate 4 pikes]

i am not sure it was love at first sight really

 

[fish speaker]

I've always had an interest in the less commonly available fish, and newly discovered/described species (what can I say...I'm a fish-snob ). Pikes fit right into that. Crenicichla also include some of the hottest-looking fish. For a long time, though, I was discouraged...almost afraid: stories about how aggressive they were and how huge they grow kept me away. Finally, a friend in our local club convinced me that they were no different than "skinny cichlids", and I should try them. Finding this site, and this subforum, helped, too! Once I saw what was out there, it was off to the races!

 

[darth pike]

The main reason I keep cichlids is basically to watch two fish that can't stand each other normally come together and work their fins off to defend their eggs and young. For this reason I don't think of malawi cichlids and other advanced mouthbrooders as cichlids. Add to the fact these are fish that eat other fish but are gentle parents just makes it that much cooler. Through in the amazing pics of Dr. Wayne Leibel's breeding pair of marm's and the pic of the dwarf compressiceps ... I was hooked even though it took years to find some dwarf pikes.