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Roundmouth pike cichlid

Crenicichla cyclostoma

Also known as Cyclostoma pike

FreshwaterFish

Roundmouth pike cichlid (Crenicichla cyclostoma)

Care at a glance

Temperature
79–86°F
26–30°C
pH
6.0–7.2
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
79 gal
300 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
Tocantins rapids, Brazil

Overview

The roundmouth pike cichlid is a small, current-loving pike cichlid for a river tank with strong flow. It is best with some experience.

Did you know

The roundmouth pike cichlid is assessed as critically endangered in the wild. Dam building on the Tocantins has hit its rapids habitat hard.

Caring for the roundmouth pike cichlid

Give a roundmouth pike cichlid at least 79 gal (300 L), with plenty of length for swimming and current. Build a river tank with piles of smooth, rounded stones and crevices to patrol and hide among. Drive a strong current with a wavemaker or brisk filtration, and keep the oxygen high.

Keep the water warm and soft to neutral, at 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. It hunts insects and other invertebrates rather than fish. Feed frozen and live invertebrates, bloodworms and small sinking foods.

It is aggressive and territorial, so keep it singly or as a bonded pair. Choose tank mates carefully, sticking to fast, robust fish too large to be swallowed. It spawns in a cave or crevice, and breeding it is difficult.

Good to know

Crenicichla cyclostoma is a cichlid in the family Cichlidae, and small for a pike. The name cyclostoma means round mouth. That blunt, circular mouth marks it as a rapids specialist that vacuums bugs out of rock crevices instead of swallowing fish.

In the wild

The roundmouth pike cichlid comes from fast, rocky rapids in the Rio Tocantins of Brazil. Its habitat is warm, well oxygenated and slightly acidic, with water tearing over stone.

Common questions

What size tank does a roundmouth pike cichlid need?

A roundmouth pike cichlid needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a roundmouth pike cichlid need?

A roundmouth pike cichlid is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.

What does a roundmouth pike cichlid eat?

A roundmouth pike cichlid hunts insects and other invertebrates rather than fish. Feed it frozen and live invertebrates, bloodworms and small sinking foods.

How big does a roundmouth pike cichlid get?

An adult roundmouth pike cichlid reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

How does a roundmouth pike cichlid breed?

Roundmouth pike cichlids spawn in a cave or crevice. They are difficult to breed.

Related species