Crenicichla johanna

Red-finned Pike Cichlid

Classification

Cichlidae. Subfamily: Cichlinae

Distribution

Wide-ranging over much of northern South America. It’s known from various river basins, including the Rio Orinoco in Colombia and Venezuela, Rio Essequibo in Guyana, Rio Oyapock and Rio Approuague in French Guiana and Rio Amapá in Brazil. Populations also exist in parts of Peru, Suriname and Bolivia.

Habitat

Mostly from faster moving rivers and streams.

Maximum Standard Length

12″ (30cm)

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

72″ x 24″ x 24″ (180cm x 60cm x 60cm) – 750 litres

Maintenance

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. Waterflow should be moderate to strong.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 74 – 78°F (23 – 26°C)

pH: 6.0 – 7.0

Hardness: Up to 20°H

Diet

Predominantly piscivorous by nature, although gut analyses of wild specimens also showed it to also consume various aquatic invertebrates. The presence of terrestrial plant matter in some fish was probably via the stomach contents of their prey.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

Can be aggressive, especially towards conspecifics. may be kept with other large cichlids or as a species only setup. Likely to eat any fish small enough to be considered food – and they have big mouths!

Sexual Dimorphism

Male is larger and likely to be more prominently marked. Females are more colourful.

Reproduction

Has not been bred in the hobby.

NotesTop ↑

As stated, this fish is found across most of the Amazon basin. As a result, a number of different colour forms have developed. This pike is fairly common in the hobby due to its broad geographic range.