Favorite Crenicichla?

[01edmn]

nah that would take to long i'll think about it lol

 

[andyourblueblood]

nah that would take to long i'll think about it lol

you pretty much owe me! hahaha! check out these few and let me know what one you like the best....

crenicichla saxitilis
c. wallici
c.marmorata
c. jegui

do some research. get back to me, you'll enjoy it! you've got to check out the amazing world of crenicichla!

 

[HairyTornado™]

wow...there are a lot more species than I thought there were. Just how many species of pikes are there? Can you list them all?

 

[andyourblueblood]

wow...there are a lot more species than I thought there were. Just how many species of pikes are there? Can you list them all?

haha! i could list them all, but there are so many undescribed pikes i dont think the list would end.

i know there are 9 dif. species though, and they are...

1. saxitilis, a.k.a. spangled pikes.
2. lugubris, these are the biggest of the species growing close to 24". these are also the big beautiful robust pikes that everyone wants.
3. reticulata, a.k.a. frog eyed pikes. the most common being the sp. belly crawler. these pikes get around, well...by just that, crawling on there bellys. these pikes usually live in faster flowing rivers i believe. this is my favorite group bye far!!! my first pike was a female sp. belly crawler. i have her still and she is my favorite fish hands down.
4. wallici, these are the dwarf pikes, the rarely exceed 5", but are also known to be the meanest pound for pound.
5. scotti, i dont know much about them i need to do more research on these guys, i will get back and edit this post when i learn more.
6. acutirostris, these are very similar to lugubris with the exception that they do not have the spotting and striping as juvies, and they are much more slender and pointy looking.
7. lacustris, again, not very familiar with them, i will get back to them a.s.a.p.
8. missioneira, the only pike in this group i know is the c. missioneira and to me it reminds me of a more open water reticulata with an extended lower jaw. never had the pleasure of owning one, but im only 18, i still have plenty of time.
9. macrophthalma, these are nocturnal wallici shaped pikes that get 6"-8". the c. macrophthalma is the only crenicichla in this group.

to see an idea of how many pikes there are in each group here is my biggest resource as always, the AMAZING vinny kutty!!!

http/www.geocities.com/NapaValley/5491/spgroups.html

i hope this is of great help to you, and i hope it opens up more peoples eyes to the world of crenicichla.

 

[HairyTornado™]

hmm, these lugubris pikes look very interesting. How hard are they to keep? What can you keep with them? Will they kill my other fish?

 

[andyourblueblood]

hmm, these lugubris pikes look very interesting. How hard are they to keep? What can you keep with them? Will they kill my other fish?

lugubris pikes are very interesting, but dont be fooled. these pikes require big tanks. they grow in excess of 16", some over 24". they are just like any other s.a. cichlid to keep. they like a small amount of aquarium salt and a lower p.h., any where from 6.2-7.4. they most likely will not kill your other fish unles the are shaped similarly to a pike or if your pike thinks it can fit in its mouth. pikes are known to have VERY elastic stomachs and can eat A LOT!

 

[HairyTornado™]

Really? 24"+ ?? Are you sure? Are there any in captivity that big? I was researching on Lugubris pikes, and it says that Crenicichla sp. 'venezuela' gets to be the largest, but it says that even though they
can reach 24", but none have ever been recorded that big. Thats a really large fish. Getting a pike thats in the 16" range would definately seem a whole lot easier to manage.

 

[andyourblueblood]

Really? 24"+ ?? Are you sure? Are there any in captivity that big? I was researching on Lugubris pikes, and it says that Crenicichla sp. 'venezuela' gets to be the largest, but it says that even though they
can reach 24", but none have ever been recorded that big. Thats a really large fish. Getting a pike thats in the 16" range would definately seem a whole lot easier to manage.

i have never seen one that big or heard o one that big, but i believe i read on another forum that a aquarium some where has a 26" venny. i agree fully, a 16" pike is MUCH easier to deal with due to less feeding, equaling less waste, leading to lower nitrates, thus making a happier fish. what size tank do you have and what is currently in it??

 

[andyourblueblood]

anyone else?? come on i know someone has to have a favorite!

 

[HairyTornado™]

I've got a two used fish tanks. A 300 gallon and a 55 gallon.

The 300 gallon is 96" x 24" x 30" I believe. I've got one Fluval FX 5, and two AquaClear 110's. Also have two 400 watt heaters which keeps the tank at 82 to 84 degrees. For substrate I have pool filter sand, and a bunch of driftwood/rocks for decoration. I've got one M. insignis, a Black Ghost Knife Fish, and some spotted bristlenose plecos in there. OH!! Just last weekend I saw a cool looking fish, it wasn't expensive, and looked healthy. I did some research and I guess its a Silver Arowana. That sums it up for right now in the 300 gallon.

The 55 gallon is 48" x 12" x 18" or something along those lines. I've got one Filstar XP3, and one Filstar XP2. One 400 watt heater keeps that tank at the same temp. as the 300 gallon. Also have pool filter sand and driftwood in it. I have one Koi Angelfish, one Black Ghost Knife Fish, one African Butterfly Fish, and an assortment of about 10 tetras in there.

 

[andyourblueblood]

anyone else have any favorites??

 

[juanveldez]

I would have to say that my favorite pike that I currently own is my cr. reticulata. but if I can ever get around to saving some money for another project I am probably going to start looking for a Cr. Jegui

 

[guppy_man]

http/www.webberslodgesfishingblog.com/wp...ike-photo_1.gif

mine

 

[juanveldez]

yeah I saw that too, its the new world record for a Northern pike the guy was reeling in a smaller one 20-30 inches I belive and that one came up and bit it in half.

 

[andyourblueblood]

[URL="http/www.webberslodgesfishingblog.com/wp...ike-photo_1.gif"]http/www.webberslodgesfishingblog.com/wp...ike-photo_1.gif[/URL]

mine

crenicichla. not essox.