Ross W
03-29-2003, 9:23 PM
I started backwards in the hobby. A 55-gallon reef tank fell into my hands at a young age. Blessed with a set of parents who loved to watch the tank, but not touch it, I instantly found a passion for the hobby and ran with it. An "unfortunate" leak in the 55 was good reason for an upgrade to a 110-gallon set up, which thrived until I left for college. Without the correct care, the beautiful eco system ultimately died. So of course, the minute I returned from college, I moved the tank back in with me. Looking at hundreds of dollars in worn out equipment and lights, and the need for even more equipment and lights, my budget (no longer supported by the folks) and I decided to trade in all my rock for a panther grouper and a snowflake moray. Eventually, my budget and I had to give up those incredible creatures as well. Needless to say, I gained an excess of knowledge from the experience, and an understanding of aquaria that has, for my very first freshwater set up, created a thriving and "reproductive" cichlid community. So, getting to my point, having worked with the challenge of salt water for so long and being a glutton for punishment, I would like to find a fresh set up that is a little more challenging. The large pikes have caught my eye. Specifically Crenicichla sp. Xingu I (orange pike cichlid) and Crenicichla Marmorata (marbled pike cichlid). The best information I have found so far on the orange pike is found at http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/5491/xingu1page.html. About the ONLY thing I have found on the marmorata is an article by Wayne Leibel http://www.cichlidae.com/articles/a078.html. A friend of mine has had short-term success with an orange in a 55-gallon tank. From what I have read, I am convinced that he will have problems within the next few months as the pike out grows the tank and kills everything else in the tank in the process. Our local fish store had a handful of juvenile orange pike for a period of a few months. I broke down my tank and spent two months getting the parameters in the tank correct and aquascaping according to what I have read. I finally got around to ordering the fish from my lfs. Unfortunately they have not seen any orange pike on their fish lists for at least five months. My only guess is that the breeder who provides my lfs with their pikes is between fry. This is where I am stuck. I have looked all over the Internet and called several stores in neighboring cities. I have had no luck finding anything resembling an orange pike. My question is if anyone has a good lfs whom I could ask to find these fish and ship them to me or if anyone knows of a breeder or online fish retailer who might be able to locate some of these fish for me? I am confident that I can successfully care for a single orange pike or even a pair. Due to the fact that the marmorata is even more elusive to me, I have decided to try for the orange but would be ecstatic to find either species. Any and all help, advice, or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Ross Waters
watersrv@comcast.net
Thank you,
Ross Waters
watersrv@comcast.net