Pike Cichlid: Complete Beginner's Guide
- Aug 28, 2021
- Anshika Mishra
- 1028 0 0
You will often see a Pike Cichlid at your local fish store and get them home. Now, how to take care of them. Worry not; we have got your back. In this article, we will be sharing everything you need to know to give this fish the best aquarium life possible.
The Pike Cichlid
There are 20-30 subspecies of Pike Cichlid for the Crenicichla genus. In this article, we will discuss a generalized care guide for all the Pike Cichlid, excluding the dwarfs. All the fish of this species have a pretty similar care guide, and because it has the name Cichlid in them, they are actually going to be hardy fish.
Appearance
The most common one readily available everywhere is the Zebra Pike Cichlid. Though they are Chiclid, they have a little different appearance. They have an elongated body and depending upon the species you get, and it will depend on how long they grow in size. Some get only 3-inches maximum, while some of them can get 14-18 inches longs. So, you have to pay attention to what specific Pike Cichlid you are getting.
Feeding
They are a heavy predator, and as far as tankmates, anything that can fit in their mouth is going to go down the hatch. But, for the most part, they are omnivores with protein-heavy necessities. So, when feeding them, do use a Cichlid pallet as a staple and feed them some live food.
Tank Size
Tank size needs will depend upon the species of the Pike Cichlid. In the beginning, it might get tough to figure it out because it is tough to depict specific species of this genus. Therefore, always research before getting any of them in your tank.
Tank Mates
They can be kept with South American Cichlids, Red devils, or any other fish that can stand independently. Since they are from so many different parts of the world, pinpointing the exact tank mates is tough. Being a predator fish, the Pike Cichlid is going to be aggressive in the tank. So, you want to be careful while choosing its tank mates.
We would love to listen to your experience with this amazing monster fish. Share your question and thoughts with us in the comments below.
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