Pike Cichlid

Found in South America, the Pike Cichlid, Creninichla saxatilis was first named by Linnaeus in 1758. Often called the White-spot Pike, this hardy cichlid can reach up to 10 inches in length and is fairly aggressive, especially towards other Pike Cichlids. A carnivore in the wild, it will prefer meaty foods and some live foods. While it need s a large aquarium, the Pike Cichlid will also prefer to have some rock caves and driftwood branches in which to lurk, waiting on food to pass in front of its face. The long, torpedo type body style facilitates its capture of prey. The dorsal fin extends along most of the upper body to the tail. In the male, the body and fins will have silver spotting. The female will usually not have any spotting in the fins. The body is olive green with white sides and silver spotting. The Pike Cichlid will usually not bother other large fish it cannot eat and can be kept with fish like Silver Dollars, Tinfoil Barbs, Severums and Oscars. Nearly all of the Pike Cichlid species will have a black stripe through the eye, extending to the edge of the gill plate. They will also have a black spot just behind the gill plate. There are several species of Pike Cichlids that are sold under the generic term, “Pike Cichlid”.

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