All fish / Cichlidae

Trombetas pike cichlid

Saxatilia pydanielae

Also known as crenicichla pydanielae, saxatilia pydanielae, pike cichlid, trombetas pike cichlid, crenicichla pydaniele, クレニキクラ・ピダニエラエ, 狗头鱼

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This is a long, slender pike cichlid from the saxatilis group. It has a dark stripe along the flank and a dark spot near the shoulder, and its dorsal fin runs most of the length of the body. Hobbyists who like South American predators keep it because it is a fairly modest size for a pike cichlid and shows interesting behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

17 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.2

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair

Diet

Carnivore: insect larvae, shrimp, earthworms, quality pellets and small fish

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: upper Rio Trombetas drainage (Amazon basin)

Breeding

It spawns in caves. The female lays her eggs on the roof of the cave, and both parents guard the eggs and then the fry. Spawning has been reported in captivity, but pairs need a large tank and can be rough with each other.

Good to know

It is a predator and will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth, and it can be very territorial towards other bottom-dwellers. Since the genus Saxatilia was revalidated, it may be labelled under either Crenicichla or Saxatilia.