Spotted pike characin
Boulengerella maculata
Also known as Spotted pike-characin, Amazon pike characin
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 13.8 in
- 35 cm
- Minimum tank
- 106 gal
- 400 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Top
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Ctenoluciidae
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America.
Overview
The spotted pike characin is a slender, surface-oriented hunter for the top of a long tank. It is considered a fish for experienced keepers.
Did you know
The spotted pike characin hunts by ambush. It holds still near the surface, then lunges at small fish from above.
Caring for the spotted pike characin
Keep the spotted pike characin in a long tank of at least 106 gal (400 L), with open swimming space up top. It is skittish, can dash into the glass when startled and can be a nervous jumper, so fit a tightly sealed lid.
Hold the water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Freshly imported fish often refuse anything but live food, and they can be tricky to settle onto aquarium food at first.
It is a predator that ignores fish too big to eat but will take any tank mate small enough to swallow. It is mostly peaceful and fine alone or in a group, but choose its tank mates with caution.
Good to know
Boulengerella maculata is an elongate, pike-shaped predator, scattered with dark spots toward the rear of the body. It belongs to the small South American family Ctenoluciidae. Its narrow, beak-like jaws are lined with fine teeth.
In the wild
The spotted pike characin is native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. It hangs just under the surface in the open water of rivers and flooded forest, often near the bank.
Common questions
What size tank does a spotted pike characin need?
A spotted pike characin needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the top.
What temperature and pH does a spotted pike characin need?
A spotted pike characin is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.
What does a spotted pike characin eat?
A spotted pike characin is a predator, and freshly imported fish often refuse anything but live food. It can be tricky to settle onto aquarium food at first, and it will eat any tank mate small enough to swallow.
How big does a spotted pike characin get?
An adult spotted pike characin reaches about 13.8 in (35 cm).
Related species
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