Dwarf Pike

[Andy16]

Could i keep a dwarf pike in a 20 gallon tank with plants? I inspired myself on this one.....

I had a pike before i knew much about them, adn i got rid of it when i found out how big it got. ( i gave it to the lfs) Anyways, i loved it, it ahd an awesome personality. It was fun watching it ambush the other fish, even though they werent meant to be eaten, it was still sorta cool. Now i want a dwarf, but didnt know if it would work.

[ChilDawg]

I think that it would be okay in a planted tank but you'd be better off asking this in Cichlids...

[Andy16]

OH shoot, that was dumb of me:rolleyes: Can a mod move this on over to cichlids?

Thanks chil.

[ChilDawg]

No prob...too bad I'm not a mod (yet?) or I could help you with that...

[Andy16]

A mod??? Any mod??? COuld some one please move this? Thanks

[Andy16]

Well, not that this is moved(thanks whoever did it) i was thinking about crenicichla compressiceps. ANother thing, could i keep both a female and male without aggresion towards eachother?

[ChilDawg]

I'd provide a bunch of hiding places, but, if these fit in a 20, I think that it may work well. Just make sure to keep an eye on them.

[Andy16]

Thanks chil, i think i made that post like 2 minutes ago, lol that was quick.

[ChilDawg]

No prob. I try to help ASAP...

I know that dwarf pikes are supposedly much less aggressive than standard pike cichlids...

[Andy16]

They arent actually dwarfs, becasue they are to aggresive to be considered one. They just call them dwarfs becasue they are small. Anyways, i dont know what i want, a community, or a species. I need more info on these to decide because the pikes are all i am interested in.

[ChilDawg]

I'd be much more careful, then. I might think about getting a larger tank if I kept them...

[Andy16]

Thats why i made a thread about it, i wasnt sure if they would work. Most fish taht are considered dwarfs can be kept in a 20 gallon tank.

[Marcus]

It's doable depending which 'dwarf' you get. Cr. compressiceps would be your best bet as they max out a 3.5" You might even be able to keep some larger community fish with him such as Tiger Barbs or Von Rio Tetras. Cr. compressiceps is an insectivore with a relatively small mouth (for a pike) so is less likely to eat other tankmates.

Many of the other 'dwarf' pikes are not so dwarf when it comes down to it. Dwarf is a relative term. For example, Cr. regani is considered a dwarf yet can grow to 6". 6" is only dwarf when compared to a 24" Cr. sp. 'Venezuela', but 6" is still a good sized fish. These would need to be kept by themselves in a 20 with the exception of maybe a Bristle Nose Pl*co. Still a very neat fish, just larger than perhaps expected.

Most importantly, in a 20 gallon tank you will only be able to keep one pike regardless of which species you pick. Even the small Cr. compressiceps will not tolerate another pike in such confined quarters.

[Andy16]

Thanks for the input marcus. The pikes are one of my favorite fish, and the are very fascinating.

[Marcus]

Me too. I currently have 5 different species. :rolleyes:

Cr. acutirostris
Cr. cincta 'Red'
Cr. semifasciatus
Cr. regani 'Rio Xingu'
Cr. regani 'Tefe'

If I came across a new and unusual species tomorrow I'd be all over it!! LOL

[Andy16]

I was leaning towards the compressiceps, and you said it would be the best, so i guess thats what i will be getting. What other fish could i keep with it then?

[Marcus]

Most any of the barbs. Larger, tough tetras such as Von Rio, Black Skirt, etc. Bristle Nose Plecs. Small Rainbows such as Praecox. Small silver dollars. Anything large enough not to get bullied but dumb enough not compete for territory.

[Andy16]

Thank you marcus for all of your help;)

[somefinnfishy]

how well would they do in a 90G community of medium sized geophagus.And again could a male/female pair work in this tank.