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Proteus pike cichlid

Crenicichla proteus

Also known as Chameleon pike cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Proteus pike cichlid (Crenicichla proteus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
5.5–7.2
Adult size
7.5 in
19 cm
Minimum tank
106 gal
400 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
Upper Amazon, Peru and Ecuador

Overview

The Proteus pike cichlid is a medium-sized predator from western Amazonia that hunts from cover. It takes a little experience to keep well.

Did you know

The Proteus pike cichlid is named for Proteus, the shape-shifting sea god of Greek myth. The fish varies so widely in color and pattern that no two look quite alike.

Caring for the Proteus pike cichlid

The Proteus pike cichlid wants a long tank of at least 106 gal (400 L), with plenty of cover. Use wood tangles, caves it can retreat into, and robust or potted plants to break up sightlines.

Keep the water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), soft to neutral, with a pH of 5.5 to 7.2. Give it clean, well-filtered water and gentle to moderate flow. Feed meaty foods such as frozen fish, prawn and large pellets.

It patrols the bottom and lower water as an ambush predator and will eat any tank mate small enough to swallow. It leaves larger fish alone unless they crowd its territory, so choose sturdy companions of a similar size.

Keep a single fish or a carefully introduced pair, since it is aggressive toward its own kind. It is a cave spawner and difficult to breed in the home aquarium.

Good to know

Crenicichla proteus is a pike cichlid of the family Cichlidae, described by the naturalist Edward Cope in 1872. Its color can run anywhere from olive to brick red. It also goes by the name chameleon pike cichlid.

In the wild

The Proteus pike cichlid ranges through the upper Amazon of Peru and Ecuador. It hunts along shallow river margins rich in cover, among wood and roots.

Common questions

What size tank does a Proteus pike cichlid need?

A Proteus pike cichlid needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Proteus pike cichlid need?

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

What does a Proteus pike cichlid eat?

A Proteus pike cichlid eats meaty foods such as frozen fish, prawn and large pellets.

How big does a Proteus pike cichlid get?

An adult Proteus pike cichlid reaches about 7.5 in (19 cm).

How does a Proteus pike cichlid breed?

The Proteus pike cichlid is a cave spawner. It is difficult to breed in the home aquarium.

Related species