All fish / Cichlidae

Crenicichla celidochilus

Crenicichla celidochilus

Also known as pike cichlid, uruguay pike cichlid, spotted-lip pike cichlid

This pike cichlid is a long, robust fish with a large mouth, thick lips marked with a dark spot and a mottled olive and brown body. It belongs to the Crenicichla missioneira species group from the rocky rapids of the Uruguay River and is kept mainly by specialist cichlid keepers who value its rarity and active behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

18 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Single specimen or a bonded pair

Diet

Carnivore: frozen bloodworm, mysis, krill, mussel, earthworms and quality sinking pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Middle and upper Uruguay River basin, southern Brazil and Argentina

Breeding

It is a cave spawner, with the pair guarding the eggs and fry in a crevice or under a rock. Captive breeding is rarely reported because the fish is seldom available and pairs need plenty of space and a carefully managed introduction.

Good to know

It is territorial and will eat any fish small enough to swallow, so tankmates must be robust and of similar size. As a subtropical rapids fish it needs strong flow, high oxygen and cooler water than most Amazonian pike cichlids.