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Roundmouth pike cichlid

Crenicichla cyclostoma

Also known as Cyclostoma pike

FreshwaterFish

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
Tankmates with caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Tocantins rapids, Brazil
Family
Cichlidae

Overview

The roundmouth pike is a small, current-loving pike cichlid that, unlike its fish-eating relatives, specializes in hunting insects and other invertebrates. It is still territorial and best kept singly or as a bonded pair, with tankmates chosen carefully: fast, robust fish too large to be swallowed. Build it a river tank with strong flow, high oxygen, and rounded stones and crevices to patrol and hide among. Feed frozen and live invertebrates, bloodworm, and small sinking foods. Allow around 300 liters with plenty of length for swimming and current.

In the wild

Crenicichla cyclostoma comes from fast rocky rapids in the Rio Tocantins of Brazil. That habitat is warm, well-oxygenated, and slightly acidic, with water tearing over stone. Reproduce it with strong current from a wavemaker or brisk filtration, piles of smooth rounded rock, and warm, soft to neutral water at pH 6.0-7.2 and 26-30 C.

Good to know

Crenicichla cyclostoma is a cichlid reaching about 12 centimeters, small for a pike. The name cyclostoma means round mouth, and that blunt, circular mouth marks it as a rapids specialist that picks bugs from crevices rather than swallowing other fish. It is a cave or crevice spawner and is considered difficult to breed.

Did you know

It is assessed as critically endangered in the wild, its rapids habitat hit hard by dam building on the Tocantins. In the tank the same rounded mouth that names it works as a tool for vacuuming insects out of the rock.

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 do Roundmouth pike cichlid need?

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

How big do Roundmouth pike cichlid get?

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

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Cichlids · Bottom dwellers

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