Crenicichla lugubris

Atabo Red Pike Cichlid

Classification

Cichlidae. Subfamily: Cichlinae

Distribution

Has been recorded from the Rio Corantijn in Suriname, Rio Essequibo in Guyana, Rio Negro and Rio Uatumã in Brazil and Rio Branco in both Brazil and Guyana.

Habitat

Well planted rivers and tributaries.

Maximum Standard Length

16″ 40cm)

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

72″ x 24″ x 36″ (180cm x 60cm x 90cm) – 1000 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.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 80 – 84°F (27 – 29°C)

pH: 5.5 – 6.5

Hardness: Up to 15°H

Diet

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

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 has white stripe on the dorsal fin. Females are more colourful.

Reproduction

Very few reports of breeding in captivity. Believed to be a cave spawner. Excellent parental care is exhibited. Can be difficult to form a pair due to the increasing aggression from the male as the fish mature. Propsective mates are often killed.

NotesTop ↑

An attractive and colourful fish when small, this species quickly grows into a large aggressive adult, requiring a large tank.