Spotted pike characin

Care at a glance

Overview

Pike characins are surface oriented hunters that need a long tank of at least 400 liters, a tightly sealed lid, and open swimming space up top. They are skittish and can dash into the glass when startled, and they are often tricky to settle onto aquarium food at first. They ignore fish too big to eat but will take any tankmate small enough to swallow.

In the wild

Hangs just under the surface in open water of rivers and flooded forest, often near the bank. Its long, slender body and pointed, tooth filled snout are built to ambush small fish from the top. It holds still near the surface, then lunges.

Good to know

Boulengerella maculata is an elongate, pike shaped predator reaching around 35 cm, scattered with dark spots toward the rear of the body. It belongs to the small South American family Ctenoluciidae. The narrow, beak like jaws are lined with fine teeth.

Did you know

Freshly imported fish often refuse anything but live food and can be nervous jumpers, which is why they are considered a fish for experienced keepers.

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