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African pike characin

Hepsetus odoe

Also known as African pike, Kafue pike

FreshwaterFish

African pike characin (Hepsetus odoe)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
19.7 in
50 cm
Minimum tank
396 gal
1,500 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Bubble nester
Rarity
Rare
Family
Hepsetidae
Origin
Southern and central African rivers and floodplains

Overview

The African pike characin is a big, aggressive predator for a very large species tank. It suits experienced keepers.

Did you know

The African pike characin is shaped like a spear, yet it is a surprisingly careful parent. Its nesting is more the habit of a gourami than of a lurking pike.

Caring for the African pike characin

The African pike characin reaches around 19.7 in (50 cm), so plan on a very large tank of at least 396 gal (1,500 L). Give it cover to hide among, with plenty of tall plants, wood and surface cover it can lurk beneath.

Keep the water warm, at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and gentle flow. Feed meaty foods such as earthworms, prawn, mussel and strips of fish. Avoid a steady diet of live feeder fish.

It is a genuine ambush predator, so keep it alone. It hangs almost motionless in open or planted water and strikes at anything it can fit in its jaws. Tank mates are food unless they are far too large to swallow, and even then it is risky. It is aggressive and best given a species tank, so choose any companions with extreme caution.

In the wild, breeding pairs build a floating raft of foam among surface plants, lay their eggs in it and stand guard. It is rarely if ever bred in home aquaria.

Good to know

Hepsetus odoe belongs to the family Hepsetidae, the African pike characins. It is a slender, big-jawed ambush hunter.

In the wild

The African pike characin lives in the rivers and floodplains of southern and central Africa. It hunts from the cover of vegetated margins, lying in wait among reeds and submerged plants. The water there is warm, slow and often stained with tannins.

Common questions

What size tank does an African pike characin need?

An African pike characin needs at least 396 gal (1,500 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an African pike characin need?

An African pike characin is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an African pike characin eat?

An African pike characin eats meaty foods such as earthworms, prawn, mussel and strips of fish. Avoid a steady diet of live feeder fish.

How big does an African pike characin get?

An adult African pike characin reaches about 19.7 in (50 cm).

How does an African pike characin breed?

African pike characins build a floating raft of foam among surface plants, lay their eggs in it and guard them. They are rarely if ever bred in home aquaria.

Related species