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Johanna pike cichlid

Lugubria johanna

Also known as Crenicichla johanna, Red pike

FreshwaterFish

Johanna pike cichlid (Lugubria johanna)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
5.5–7.2
Adult size
13.4 in
34 cm
Minimum tank
185 gal
700 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Amazon and Guiana rivers

Overview

The Johanna pike cichlid is a very large, serious predator for a monster-fish setup rather than a general community. It is a long-term commitment to a big, demanding animal, best taken on with some experience.

Did you know

The Johanna pike cichlid was first described back in 1840 by the Austrian naturalist Johann Jakob Heckel. That makes it one of the earliest pike cichlids ever named by science.

Caring for the Johanna pike cichlid

Give a Johanna pike cichlid a big tank of at least 185 gal (700 L), with a long footprint. Lay a sandy floor with big pieces of driftwood and rock. These give it territory, sight breaks and cover to hunt from. Leave plenty of open space as well.

Keep the water soft and slightly acidic to neutral, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.2. Run strong filtration to suit a large, active predator. Feed substantial meaty foods, such as large pellets, prawn, mussel and fish fillet. Take care at feeding time with a fish this large and strong.

Keep a single fish or a bonded pair. It patrols the lower water along structure and treats any tank mate small enough to swallow as food. Only very large, sturdy fish are safe with it, and even those need space to stay clear.

Females often develop a reddish belly in breeding condition. It spawns in a sheltered crevice, and the pair guards the young together. It is difficult to breed.

Good to know

Lugubria johanna is a member of the family Cichlidae and one of the larger pike cichlids. Long known as Crenicichla johanna, it was recently placed in the new genus Lugubria when the sprawling genus Crenicichla was divided.

In the wild

The Johanna pike cichlid ranges widely across northern South America. It hunts along submerged structure in the large rivers of the Amazon basin and the Guianas.

Common questions

What size tank does a Johanna pike cichlid need?

A Johanna pike cichlid needs at least 185 gal (700 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Johanna pike cichlid need?

A Johanna pike cichlid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.

What does a Johanna pike cichlid eat?

A Johanna pike cichlid eats substantial meaty foods, such as large pellets, prawn, mussel and fish fillet. Take care at feeding time with a fish this large and strong.

How big does a Johanna pike cichlid get?

An adult Johanna pike cichlid reaches about 13.4 in (34 cm).

How can you tell a male Johanna pike cichlid from a female?

A female Johanna pike cichlid often develops a reddish belly in breeding condition.

How does a Johanna pike cichlid breed?

A Johanna pike cichlid spawns in a sheltered crevice, and the pair guards the young together. It is difficult to breed.

Related species