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Zebra pike cichlid

Crenicichla zebrina

Also known as Zebrina pike

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F (24–28°C)
pH
5.5–7.2
Adult size
11.8 in (30 cm)
Minimum tank
159 gal (600 L)
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
Tankmates with caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Ventuari drainage, Venezuela
Family
Cichlidae

Overview

The zebra pike cichlid is a large, slow-moving pike cichlid, and while it is one of the calmer members of its group it is still a predator, best kept alone or with big, fast tankmates it cannot swallow. It holds position near the bottom among rock and wood, watching the water. It is territorial, so tankmates need care: only robust, similarly sized fish, and expect it to claim the tank. Feed meaty foods such as chunks of fish and shrimp, earthworms, and large pellets, weaning it onto dead foods rather than live. A tank of around 600 liters or more with strong current and a tight lid suits a single fish.

In the wild

This pike comes from clear, fast rivers of the Ventuari, a tributary of the upper Orinoco in Venezuela. It needs warm, soft, oxygen-rich water with real current: temperatures around 24 to 28 C, a pH of roughly 5.5 to 7.2, and strong flow from a large filter or circulation pumps. Give it a floor of sand and rounded rock with driftwood to break the line of sight. Very clean, well-moving water is essential for a fish from running rapids.

Good to know

Crenicichla zebrina is a pike cichlid reaching about 30 centimeters, barred in cream and umber with apricot-tinted fins, unusually colourful for the genus. It was described only in 2008, one of the more recent large pikes to reach science. Like other pike cichlids it is a cave or crevice spawner that guards its brood, but it is hard to breed, needing a compatible pair and pristine, flowing water. It remains scarce and highly prized in the hobby.

Did you know

It is one of the most sought-after pike cichlids, prized for its bold barring and apricot fins, and it was only formally named in 2008, late for a fish of such size and striking looks.

Common questions

What size tank does a Zebra pike cichlid need?

A Zebra pike cichlid needs at least 159 gal (600 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH do Zebra pike cichlid need?

Zebra pike cichlid are comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.

How big do Zebra pike cichlid get?

An adult Zebra pike cichlid reaches about 11.8 in (30 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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