Crenicichla tigrina
Tiger Pike Cichlid
Classification
Cichlidae. Subfamily: Cichlinae
Distribution
Known only from the Rio Trombetas in the Brazilian Amazon.
Habitat
Known only from the Rio Trombetas in the Brazilian Amazon.
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.
Water Conditions
Temperature: 74 – 78°F (23 – 26°C)
pH: 6.0 – 7.0
Hardness: Up to 20°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 prominent black spots and stripes (hence the common name)
Reproduction
No reports of breeding in the hobby.
NotesTop ↑
A strikingly marked species that is rarely seen in the hobby in the UK.
