All fish / Cichlidae

Half-banded Pike Cichlid

Crenicichla geayi

Also known as half banded pike cichlid, geayi pike cichlid, pike cichlid, crenicichla geayi, クレニキクラ・ゲアイ, 狗鱼慈鲷

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A slender, long-bodied pike cichlid with a large mouth, a dark eye-spot near the tail and half-height dark bars along the flanks of a golden-brown body. It stays smaller than many relatives, so keepers like it as a manageable predator with lively behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

18 cm

Temperature

24 to 29 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair

Diet

Carnivore: small fish, earthworms, prawns, mussel, frozen bloodworm and sinking carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Venezuela and Colombia: Orinoco basin and Llanos

Breeding

It is a cave spawner: the pair cleans a hidden spot, the female guards the eggs and both parents defend the fry. Breeding has been done in aquaria but pairs must be formed carefully, as males can kill unwilling females.

Good to know

It will eat any fish small enough to swallow and is territorial towards other bottom dwellers, so tankmates should be robust and of similar size. Provide caves and a tight lid, as pike cichlids can jump.