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Cichlids
/ South America / Pike Cichlids / Dwarf Pike Cichlid
Dwarf Pike Cichlid, Two-spot Pike Cichlid
Crenicichla notophthalmus | Pictures
Synonyms: C.
dorsocellatus
Physical description: The Dwarf Pike Cichlid has a typical Pike Cichlid body shape.
The back is mushroom brown to muddy
yellow and the belly is whitish-brown.
The eyes are large and dark red in color.
A broad, longitudinal band runs from
the snout, through the eye, and to the caudal fin.
This band is usually brown in color.
The upper back is marked 11-12 brief,
spot-like markings.
The dorsal fin is usually tipped with red and the first three rays are sharp and pointed.
A black
spot is located on the caudal penuncle.
Size/Length: Males to 6" (15 cm), females to 4.7" (12 cm)
Similar species: C.
nanus, C. wallacii
Habitat: South America; Amazon River from Santarèm to Manaus
S: All
Aquarium: A tank measuring 36" (91 cm) with a volume of 45 gallons (170 L) is sufficient for
adult fish.
Follow suggestions for C.
lepidota.
Water chemistry: pH 6.5-7.5 (7.0), 4-20 dH (10), 75-81°F (24-27°C)
Social behavior: The Dwarf Pike Cichlid is territorial, but much more peaceful than other Pikes.
This
cichlid can be kept in a community tank containing medium to large-sized cichlids, catfish, and large characins.
Pairs
form nuclear families and are excellent parents.
Suggested companions: Cichlasomines, Pimelodids, Loricarids, Pacus, Piranha, Silver Dollars, Arawana.
FOOD: Live; fish, aquatic and fry insects, crustaceans, earthworms,
Tubifex; chopped meat; flakes; pellets.
SEX: Females have white edges to the dorsal fin, are smaller, and have a rounder, pinker
body.
Females can also be distinguished by their shorter fins and the dark splotch on their dorsal fin.
Breeding techniques: Similar to C.
lepidota.
Breeding potential: 9.
A rarely spawned cichlid.
Remarks: This species is closely related to
C. nanus and
wallacii, and the relationship between
the species is still under investigation.
Difficulty of care: 6.
A relatively peaceful Pike cichlid.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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