Sven's pike cichlid
Crenicichla sveni
Also known as Sveni pike
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
- pH
- 5.5–7.2
- Adult size
- 9.8 in (25 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
- Orinoco basin
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
Sven's pike cichlid is a genuine predator, so keep one specimen, or a proven pair, in a large, well furnished tank and choose tankmates with real care. Anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be eaten, so pick robust, similarly sized fish and give everyone room and line-of-sight breaks. It hunts along the bottom from cover, so provide bogwood, roots and rock to divide up territories. Feed meaty foods such as earthworms, prawn and good pellets rather than live feeder fish. Plan on around 450 liters or more for a single adult.
In the wild
This pike cichlid comes from the Orinoco basin, in the slow tributaries and flooded margins of the llanos across Venezuela and Colombia. It lives among submerged roots and leaf litter in warm, soft to neutral water. Furnish the tank with plenty of wood and shade, keep flow moderate, and hold the water around 24 to 28 C and pH 5.5 to 7.2.
Good to know
Crenicichla sveni is a medium sized pike cichlid of the Crenicichla lugubris group, reaching about 25 centimeters. Guido Ploeg described it in 1991 and named it in honour of the Swedish cichlid specialist Sven O. Kullander, for his work on the genus. It is a biparental substrate spawner that hides its eggs in a cave or crevice, and it is not an easy fish to breed in the aquarium.
Did you know
The species honours Sven Kullander, a leading student of pike cichlids in his own right, so one authority on the group ended up with his name on a fish described by another.
Common questions
What size tank does a Sven's pike cichlid need?
A Sven's pike cichlid needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Sven's pike cichlid need?
Sven's pike cichlid are comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.
How big do Sven's pike cichlid get?
An adult Sven's pike cichlid reaches about 9.8 in (25 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)
Ringtail pike cichlid
Crenicichla saxatilisFreshwater9.4 in (24 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)