Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => New World => Topic started by: Thriftyfisher on November 13, 2011, 10:17:54 PM

Title: what type of Pike Cichlid?
Post by: Thriftyfisher on November 13, 2011, 10:17:54 PM

So I have this pair of fish.  These are shots of the male.  The person that I got them from said when he got them he was told they were Xingu.  They don't look like that to me or to the person that I got them from.  Anyone have any ideas?

Title: Re: what type of Pike Cichlid?
Post by: Michael Zebrowski on November 21, 2011, 02:34:18 PM

Based on the position of the humeral spot, the limited spangling, the yellowish base color of the dorsal fin, and the caudal/dorsal fin patternand color, I suggest Crenicichla alta.  This is a member of the Saxatiline group from northern South America;Guyana/Suriname. 

Mike

Title: Re: what type of Pike Cichlid?
Post by: Thriftyfisher on November 27, 2011, 01:35:25 PM

That is great to know.  My goal is to breed these, with luck in the next few months now that they have spent the last 5 months getting settled in.  They have spawned before for the person that I got them from but have failed to hatch out the eggs. 

Title: Re: what type of Pike Cichlid?
Post by: Michael Zebrowski on November 30, 2011, 06:57:06 PM

Even though the adults thrive in tap water, the eggs usually require softer, more acidic water to hatch.  They calcify easily in tap water.  Also, pike cichlids typically like small, dark caves in which to spawn.  Bogwood roots with holes and caves work well with this genus.  Good Luck!

Mike 

Title: Re: what type of Pike Cichlid?
Post by: Black1031 on February 27, 2012, 09:01:34 PM

Nice ID and info zchallenger!! I didn't know what I was going to read on this one!! Spot on!!

Title: Re: what type of Pike Cichlid?
Post by: Michael Zebrowski on February 28, 2012, 03:28:02 PM

Thank you, I appreciate it.

Mike Z.