Care
Pike cichlids are a fascinating group of elongate predatory South American cichlids previously belonging to the Crenicichla genus. Most species are found in the Amazonian region where they inhabit freshwater lakes, pools, rivers, and streams, but they have representatives over nearly all of the South American continent. To the north, they are found in Colombia (but not west of the Andes), Guyana, Venezuela, and the island of Trinidad. To the south, they are found all the way down to the central RÃo Negro province of Argentina, just north of Patagonia. The majority of pike cichlids are warm water fish that require tropical temperatures in the home aquarium, but there are a few notable exceptions to this rule, for example some of the subtropical Argentine species. It is important that each species is researched thoroughly prior to purchase to ensure their individual requirements can be met. The aquarium should be as spacious as possible; the exact size will obviously depend on which species you plan to keep (and how many), but it should provide ample room for fish to set up their territories. A soft sand substrate will be beneficial, as many species like to dig a little now and again - although Pike cichlids do not generally tend to rearrange the decor anywhere near as much as many other cichlid families. It is important to furnish the tank with a plethora of hiding places and visual barriers, which will enable multiple specimens to be kept together. Tangles of driftwood, rocky caves and crevices, PVC or bamboo tubes (allow several per fish) etc will all be much appreciated. Hardy plants can usually be incorporated into the aquascape, but as some species do like to engage in a bit of digging, it may be prudent to opt for Java Fern and Anubias sp. which can be tied on and cultivated on the decor, as well as floating species to help diffuse the light. Filtration should be efficient, with areas of moderate water movement along with some quieter resting spots out of the current. Small, regular water changes will help to keep nitrate to a minimum. Pike Cichlids have something of a reputation for being nasty. Whilst it is true that they are predatory (they have large protrusible mouths and will attempt to eat fish that are just a bit smaller than themselves) and most are highly territorially aggressive towards conspecifics, there are several ways of reducing the risk of violence in the aquarium. The first is to provide a multitude of visual barriers as described above; broken lines of sight will significantly reduce territorial aggression. Secondly, when purchasing your preferred species of Pike Cichlid, buy a group of reasonable number that are all of the same size, and introduce them to the aquarium simultaneously. Thirdly, these fish are always best kept in a species tank environment, but if tankmates really are desired, ensure the tank is voluminous and companions are robust and as large (or larger) than the pikes, and add them first so that the pikes have not already set up territories and see them as intruders into their established domain. Lastly, bear in mind that if a pair forms and they show signs of wanting to spawn, aggression will heighten even further - and unless the tank is exceptionally spacious, the other fish may need rehoming for their own safety.
Feeding
Offer a variety of meaty frozen foods such as white mosquito larvae, bloodworm, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis etc. As the majority of fish are wild caught, they may require live foods to initiate a feeding response, gradually weaning on to frozen fare, and some will eventually take dried foods such as cichlid pellets.
Breeding
Cave spawners. Eggs will be deposited/fertilised in a cave/crevice and the female fish will tend to these whilst the male patrols the perimeter. Generally, eggs will hatch within 3-4 days, with the fry free-swimming just a few days later, at which point they can be offered baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii). The young can be rather cannibalistic, with larger fry predating on smaller fry, so be sure to regularly separate the young by size for their safety.
