All fish / Cichlidae

Santos pike cichlid

Saxatilia santosi

Also known as crenicichla santosi, saxatilia santosi, pike cichlid, santosi pike cichlid

No free-to-use photo of this fish yet. Took one yourself? Send it to us and we will credit you.

This is a small, slender pike cichlid from the Saxatilia group, with a long body, a long dorsal fin and a dark shoulder spot on a brownish to silvery grey body. It is kept by South American cichlid enthusiasts who want an active predator that stays fairly small.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

24 to 29 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

160 litres

Keep as

Single fish or a mated pair

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis and earthworms; may accept pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: Amazon basin, including the Rio Machado in Rondônia

Breeding

It spawns in caves, and both parents guard the eggs and fry. Captive breeding is rarely reported, and it usually needs a compatible pair and soft, clean water.

Good to know

It will eat fish small enough to fit in its mouth and can be territorial towards others of its own kind. It looks very similar to other Saxatilia species, so trade fish are often wrongly named.