Pike Cichlids.

[Fish Guy]

I recently picked up a couple of pike cichlids, both are around 4". I have them in my 75 gallon along with 18 Tiger Barbs. I have lots of expirence with cichlids but have never kept Pikes before. I was just wondering if anyone could share their Pike Cichlid experinces. I have been feeding them Flakes, Bloodworms, Mysis Shrimp, Brine Shrimp, Krill, and I have just started them on Earth Worms. They seem to be filling out a good bit. Espcially compared to the ones that are left at the LFS. I am unable to get pics of the ones I have, but I have been having a hard time figuring out what type of Pike I have. They have a broken black horizontal stripe going down their sides and are mainly a beige body color.

 

[Wills]

Hi pikes are cool but a very large cichlid family that are generalised far too much. Some are hyper aggressive and will eat anything and everything, while others can cohabit with other equally large fish this like has pics of most of the common ones. See if you can ID them from there http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/results.php?genus=47

Most of the non dwarf ones grow to at least 10 inches and in some cases 14. Where abouts did you get them from someone might know what they are if they are near you?

Wills

 

[Fish Guy]

Thanks for that link. From looking at those profiles I am pretty sure that I have two Crenicichla sp. "Belly Crawler. So I guess according to that profile they get 6". But I forgot to mention I had 8 Leopard Danios that were given to me, and now I only have 3. I knew the pikes would eat them eventually, but they got to them before I got a chance to move the Danios into my 30 gallon.

 

[Wills]

Ah wicked cool I was hoping it would be them, we want pics!!! lol They are highly predatory fish I think your tiger barbs might be okay but be careful with them and make sure any other fish are large growing but I would be wary of more tank mates to be fair maybe hoplo catfish? But just keep it simple maybe?

 

[Fish Guy]

Yeah no doubt I'll have to stay away from the smaller fish. Like you said I'll have to keep it simple, I might get another type of New World cichlid. But we'll see. I just tried them on some Meal Worms, they are still a bit stand offish of them.