Ringtail pike cichlid
Crenicichla saxatilis
Also known as Saxatilis pike, Ringtail pike, Ring tail pike
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
- pH
- 5.5–7.2
- Adult size
- 9.4 in (24 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal (450 L)
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Guianas coastal rivers
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
This is the pike cichlid the whole genus is named around, a spangled predator kept as a single fish or a pair introduced while young, since it holds a strict hierarchy of one. It hunts along the bottom and lower water and will eat fish small enough to swallow, so keep only large, robust tankmates and give a long tank with plenty of cover so each fish can defend its own patch. Feed meaty foods such as frozen fish, prawn, and large sinking pellets. It reaches about 24 centimeters and needs length more than height, so plan on at least 450 liters with wood, caves, and clear sightline breaks.
In the wild
It patrols wood-lined creeks and rivers of the Guianas on the Atlantic coast of South America, hunting from cover and moving into rivers as the dry season concentrates the water. Recreate that with a long tank, driftwood tangles, robust plants, and caves for retreat. Keep the water warm at about 24 to 28 C and soft to neutral, roughly pH 5.5 to 7.2, with clean, well-filtered conditions.
Good to know
Crenicichla saxatilis is a pike cichlid of the family Cichlidae, reaching about 24 centimeters, with spangled flanks and a dark, ringed eyespot at the base of the tail that gives it the name ringtail. It anchors its genus as the type species, entered into science by Linnaeus himself in 1758. It spawns in caves and pits and is difficult to breed in the aquarium.
Did you know
It has been on the books of formal science since 1758, when Linnaeus named it in the founding edition of modern zoological naming, meaning this pike had a scientific name decades before the United States existed.
Common questions
What size tank does a Ringtail pike cichlid need?
A Ringtail pike cichlid needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Ringtail pike cichlid need?
Ringtail pike cichlid are comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.
How big do Ringtail pike cichlid get?
An adult Ringtail pike cichlid reaches about 9.4 in (24 cm).
Where to buy
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Related species
Jegu's pike cichlid
Crenicichla jeguiFreshwater9.4 in (24 cm)119 gal (450 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Sven's pike cichlid
Crenicichla sveniFreshwater9.8 in (25 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Halfbanded pike cichlid
Crenicichla geayiFreshwater8.7 in (22 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Zebra pike cichlid
Crenicichla zebrinaFreshwater11.8 in (30 cm)159 gal (600 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Alta pike cichlid
Crenicichla altaFreshwater7.5 in (19 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Proteus pike cichlid
Crenicichla proteusFreshwater7.5 in (19 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)