All fish / Ctenoluciidae

Hujeta Gar

Ctenolucius hujeta

Also known as hujeta, gar characin, pike characin, freshwater barracuda, silver hujeta, pike tetra, hujeta pike characin, フエタ, 火箭, 银火箭

A long, slim silvery predator with a pointed, beak-like snout, a dark spot at the base of the tail and the dorsal and anal fins set far back on the body. It cruises just under the surface and is kept for its sleek pike-like look and impressive hunting behaviour in large tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

25 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Group of 3 or more of similar size

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen fish, prawns, earthworms and large insects; some take pellets

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Colombia, Venezuela and Panama (Magdalena, Maracaibo and Atrato basins)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns in open water among plants, laying large numbers of eggs that hatch within a day or so. It has been bred in aquariums but this is uncommon and needs a very large tank and plenty of live food for the fast-growing fry.

Good to know

Will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth and is a strong jumper, so a tight lid is essential. It is easily startled and may injure its snout on tank glass, so give a long tank with open swimming space.