Piranha-Info.com© :: Dwarf Pike Cichlid

Other Names:
Compress(us) (Dwarf) Pike Cichlid, Yellow Fin (Dwarf) Pike Cichlid, Banded (Dwarf) Pike Cichlid

Scientific Name:
Crenicichla compressiceps (Ploeg, 1986)

Range:
South America: lower Rio Tocantins, Pará province, Brazil.

Maximum size:
Males 7-8cm. (3-3,25"), females 5-6cm. (2-2,25").

Aquarium:
It is recommended to keep one male together with 1-3 females: for this you will need an aquarium of 40-48" (100-120cm.) in length. A proven (breeding) pair can be housed in a smaller tank however: usually, a 32" (80cm.) long tank is sufficient. Males are very intolerant towards each other, and in order to keep two (or more) males in the same tank a larger tank is required: 48" (120cm.) being the minimum, but larger is recommended.
The aquarium needs to be planted densely, with dimmed lights or floating plants to provide hiding places and to make the fish feel secure, especially when kept together with larger or very active fish. (Drift) wood is also very suitable to provide hiding places, and even nesting sites.
Although the Dwarf Pike Cichlid is a strong and adaptable species, soft, slightly acidic water is prefered (something which can be achieved by filtering over peat, or by enriching the water with black water extract). Besides that, the water needs to be heavily oxgenated and a moderate amount of currents should be provided as well: these conditions can be created by installing a power head and air pump/diffusor unit for (one of) the filter(s).

Temperature:

15°C

24-30°C

35°C

pH:

5.0

5.5-7.5

9.0

	Ideal conditions
	Suitable conditions
	Unsuitable conditions

Diet:
The Dwarf Pike Cichlid is a voracious eater with a strong preference for meaty foods. In particular live foods such as artemia, mosquito larvae and even very small fish* are appreciated. Frozen foods like blood worms, mosquito larvae, krill and artemia, as well as dry foods like small pellets and granules usually are also readily accepted, although it can be hard to have the Pikes accept prepared foods at first. This problem can be solved by keeping them together with other robust community fish such as larger Tetra-species, Silver Dollars or Barbs, fish that will eat their food in all levels of the aquarium. Pike Cichlids learn fast, and usually will copy the behaviour of their tank mates quite rapidly, and accept prepared foods without hesitation.
It is important to realise that smaller Crenicichla-species are not true surface feeders. Often they will not, or only with much hesitation, move towards the top of the tank during feeding time. This means that there is a small risk of them being outcompeted by other, more assertive fish that take their food in all levels of the aquarium. For this reason, it is recommended to regularly feed sinking food items such as granules. Offering food in several places in the aquarium may also be a useful approach.

* Live fish need to be quarantained first, so they are safe to feed (containing no disases or parasites). Goldfish, minnows and other members of the Cyprinid family (Carp-like fish) should be avoided, as these fish contain growth-inhibiting hormones (Thiaminase/Vitamine B1 inhibitors) that could negatively affect the fish's health and development.

Temperament:
Although the Dwarf Pike Cichlid is one of the smallest Crenicichla-species, its character can easily be compared to its (often much) larger relatives as far as temperament is concerned. It is an active, very lively and often even aggressive fish that can only be kept with somewhat larger fish (anything that fits its mouth will be regarded as a potential addition to their daily diet).
It is best to keep one male together with 2-3 females, as males are highly territorial in nature, especially during the spawning season.