Late last night I noticed my two Crenicichla sp. 'atabapo fire' were acting a little strange. None of the other fish were acting up, so I was a little confused. None the less, I did an immidate large water change. Still didn't help. Starting to get frustrated and worried about this time because this is the second time this has happened to me. These pikes are hella freakin sensative, never kept ANY pikes like them in regards to sensativity. Spent the whole freakin night babying them and trying to bring them around. Breathing heavy, disorientated...agghh. Basically watched them die all night long and there was nothing I could do. The last one died this morning at 6:30.
Right now I'm feeling rather frustrated and at such a loss. If you do ever manage to come across this species and have the ability to get some, do it. BUT be sure you have the following things first. UV Sterilizer, MASSIVE filtration, clean water, LARGE tank, lots of dechlorinator, and tons of aeriation. I'm gonna try and find these pikes again, and when I do, I'm gonna make sure that the tank is just dedicated to them, with a UV sterilizer, lots of filtration, and lots of aeriation. I think those are the three key factors. Learn from my loss's so that you don't have to experience them for yourself cuz it really really really sucks.
They are the only two fish I lost, it was completely out of the blue and I still have no idea what triggered it. Everything else I had in the tanks with them are fine and still very perky.
Water quality is very important with all pike cichlids. Even when your other fish are lookin great, it might be stressing your pikes and you not even know it. Even if your tank doesn't look dirty and appears to be clean, I still suggest doing at least a small water change. Once I get some more pikes, I'm definately steppin my water change schedual up to three times a week.
Right now I'm feeling rather frustrated and at such a loss. If you do ever manage to come across this species and have the ability to get some, do it. BUT be sure you have the following things first. UV Sterilizer, MASSIVE filtration, clean water, LARGE tank, lots of dechlorinator, and tons of aeriation. I'm gonna try and find these pikes again, and when I do, I'm gonna make sure that the tank is just dedicated to them, with a UV sterilizer, lots of filtration, and lots of aeriation. I think those are the three key factors. Learn from my loss's so that you don't have to experience them for yourself cuz it really really really sucks.
They are the only two fish I lost, it was completely out of the blue and I still have no idea what triggered it. Everything else I had in the tanks with them are fine and still very perky.
Water quality is very important with all pike cichlids. Even when your other fish are lookin great, it might be stressing your pikes and you not even know it. Even if your tank doesn't look dirty and appears to be clean, I still suggest doing at least a small water change. Once I get some more pikes, I'm definately steppin my water change schedual up to three times a week.
