All fish / Cichlidae

Two-spot Pike Cichlid

Crenicichla notophthalmus

Also known as wallaciia notophthalmus, two spot pike cichlid, dwarf pike cichlid, notophthalmus pike cichlid, crenicichla notophthalma, wallacia notophthalmus, クレニキクラ・ノトフタルムス, 双点狗鱼慈鲷

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This is one of the dwarf pike cichlids, a slim fish with a long dorsal fin, a dark lateral stripe and an eyespot on the dorsal fin. Females turn a reddish belly colour when they are ready to breed. Keepers like it because it gives pike cichlid behaviour and colour in a tank of modest size.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 30 °C

pH

5 to 7

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Single pair, or a small group in a large tank

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis and quality sinking pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Middle and lower Amazon basin, including the Rio Negro, Brazil

Breeding

It is a cave spawner. The female guards the eggs and both parents look after the fry. Breeding has been done in captivity in soft, acidic water and is described as moderately difficult.

Good to know

It will eat very small fish and shrimp, and it can be territorial towards its own kind, so give it plenty of caves and cover. Wild fish need soft, acidic and very clean water.