All fish / Cichlidae

Bay Snook

Petenia splendida

Also known as bay snook, red bay snook, giant cichlid, tenhuayaca, petenia, snook cichlid, red tiger bay snook, ペテニア・スプレンディダ, 火口鱼, 佩滕鲷

A large predatory cichlid with a long body, a huge mouth that shoots forward to swallow prey, and colours ranging from olive with dark blotches to the bright orange-red 'red' form. Keepers like it for its striking look, bold personality and the way it learns to recognise its owner.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

35 cm

Temperature

24 to 30 °C

pH

7 to 8

Smallest tank

800 litres

Keep as

Single specimen or a bonded pair

Diet

Carnivore: fish-eating predator; takes pellets, shrimp, prawn, mussel and earthworms

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Atlantic drainages of southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize (Usumacinta and Grijalva basins, Lake Petén Itzá)

Breeding

It spawns on flat stones in open-substrate fashion and both parents guard the eggs and fry fiercely. Breeding is not difficult once a compatible pair forms, but males can be very rough with females, so a big tank with cover is needed.

Good to know

Adults can exceed 40 cm and will eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouth, so tankmates must be large, robust cichlids or catfish. Pairs become highly aggressive when breeding.