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Saxatilia albopunctata

White-spotted Pike Cichlid

(Pellegrin, 1904)Formerly Crenicichla albopunctata

Last revised 2026Edit this page

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White-spotted Pike Cichlid (Crenicichla albopunctata)
White-spotted Pike Cichlid (Crenicichla albopunctata)JJPhoto

Quick factsEdit

Max size
200mm SL8in SL
Aquarium size
120 × 38cm48 × 15in
Temp
24–27°C75–81°F
pH
6.0–7.0
Hardness
0–15dGH

Difficulty3 of 8 measures

Moderate

How the rating is worked out

Space
large tank
Water
needs a steady pH
Temp
needs a steady temperature
Diet
unknown
Temperament
unknown
Social
unknown
Compatibility
unknown

Other demands

Each of these can raise the rating on its own, whatever the measures above say.

Hardiness
unknown

The white-spotted pike cichlid, Saxatilia albopunctata, is a pike cichlid from Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Its range runs from the Demerara to the Approuague, in slow-moving forest streams, tributaries and pools over sandy substrates, dimly lit by overhanging vegetation. An aggressive species, it can be kept with other large cichlids or on its own, and it grows to about 20 cm, though usually no more than 15 cm in aquaria.

Distribution

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It's natural range runs from the Rio Demerara in Guyana, through Suriname to the river Approuague in French Guiana.

Slow moving, forest streams, tributaries and pools, characterised by sandy substrates. Overhanging vegetation creates a dimly-lit atmosphere.

Aquarium size

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Standard length
200mm SL8in SL
Aquarium base
120 × 38cm48 × 15in
Volume
~137litres~36US gal

120 ∗ 38 ∗ 30 cm48 ∗ 15 ∗ 12 in - ~137 litres~36 US gal

Maintenance

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Sand substrate is recommended. This species is likely to dig and arrange the decor to suit itself. Some rockwork should be provided to form caves as pikes like to have an area to which they can retreat. Plants should be robust, ideally potted or rooted to bogwood.

Water conditions

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Temperature
24–27°C75–81°F
pH
6.0–7.0
Hardness
0–15dGH

Temperature: 24 – 27 °C75 – 81 °F

pH: 6.0 - 7.0

Hardness: Up to 15°H

These recommendations come from this profile’s own figures. They contain affiliate links, so we may earn a commission.

Feed a varied diet including a good quality cichlid pellet or flake, live or frozen foods, such as bloodworm or brineshrimp and vegetable matter in the form of spirulina or algae wafers.

Behaviour and compatibility

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Aggressive species - may be kept with other large cichlids or as a species only setup.

Sexual dimorphism

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Male is larger and more colourful

Reproduction

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Limited reports of breeding in the hobby.

Notes

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Limited reports of breeding in the hobby.

How the name has changed

  1. Moved from Crenicichla albopunctata to Saxatilia albopunctata.

    2023Revision of the generic classification of pike cichlids using an integrative phylogenetic approach (Cichlidae: tribe Geophagini: subtribe Crenicichlina)

Distribution

Profile completeness19 of 24

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