Dwarf Pike For 21G

[kizno1]

What type would work best in a 21G? Is there any special care they need? How many could i have? and finally would Serpae Tetra work as tankmate?

 

[jacko32]

hi kizno there are no dwarf pike smaller than 5" and they would require around 40 gallons the smallest i know of are Crenicichla notophthalmus and Crenicichla regani

 

[jacko32]

i found also Crenicichla compressiceps this 1 i have found conflicting info on 1 site says it only grows to 3.5" but needs a 55gallon tank

 

[shroob]

What dimensions is the 21 gallon?

The most commonly available are C. compressiceps. They are unfortunately the most aggressive dwarf pike I believe, and you may end up with just a single specimin, even if a pair forms its not uncommon for one to kill the other. In a 21 gallon tank I would house 1 pair (its the best you can hope for, even then most likely you will end up with 1). I would also say tankmates are another risk, if you do decide to try it go for tall bodied species such as black phantoms, not pencil shaped like neons (so serpae have more chance of working). Though I've heard accounts of pikes simply chewing the heads off fish they couldn't eat. I wouldn't hold much hope for any dithers though.

C. compressiceps

Another species, and I think more attractive, though it is rarer would be C. regani and a better beginner pike as its mellower (but still a pike cichlid.

Another option would be C. notophthalmus, another attractive pike but is more aggressive than the C. regani.

Its up to you which you prefer, but I believe the greatest issue you will have is availability. Please note pictures are of great specimins, unfortunately not all look like that.

If you up your tank size, there is a more common pike called a 'belly crawler' due to its unusual method of propulsion (usually along the bottom of the tank and not exactly swimming). They grow to around 6-8" and are more available.

 

[kizno1]

The tank is 70 X 30 X 40cm. I dont really have another bigger tank they could go in and im not allowed any more tanks :[

 

[shroob]

The tank is 70 X 30 X 40cm. I dont really have another bigger tank they could go in and im not allowed any more tanks :[

Don't be too down, thats still a tank that could house a dwarf pike if you really like them that much. The main issue being sourcing them like I said.

 

[kizno1]

If i just had the pike cichlids which type are fairly common and stay small enough? Are there any fish that work well as dithers?

 

[shroob]

The most commonly available dwarf pike would be the compressiceps, unfortunately they are also the most aggressive. Your best hope would be to buy 6 juveniles and grow them on together, hopefully being able to remove the extra's when a pair form in time to save bloodshed, though this wont be easy.

Incase I didn't meantion, all the pikes I noted earlier would fit in that tank, you'd have better luck with a pair of C. regani than any other, just they aren't common and you might have to do some searching to find them. C. compressiceps is more commonly available, but still not exactly prevalent.

Any dithers would have to be hardy and big enough not to be swallowed, even then that doesn't mean they wont be killed. Plecs would also work, but I wouldn't call them dithers.

 

[kizno1]

Fair enough. Ill have a look around and see what i can find. I wouldnt want to put a plec in with them in a 21G just incase it does kick off.

 

[Wills]

Hi not sure where you are but there are 3 shops "down south" that have C.Regini in stock on TFF http/www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/fish_detail.asp?id=5690&fishType=tropical

In contrast to what Shroob is saying (but in no way disagreeing) I have only ever seen C.Regini in shops never seen C.Compresiceps - saw some adults the other day I only ever had babies and gave them away to friends because I could tell it would not work in my tank while they where in QT - anyway saw these adults and they are awsome tons of personality in a little tube their faces are just brilliant

Wills

 

[kizno1]

Hi not sure where you are but there are 3 shops "down south" that have C.Regini in stock on TFF http/www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/fish_detail.asp?id=5690&fishType=tropical

In contrast to what Shroob is saying (but in no way disagreeing) I have only ever seen C.Regini in shops never seen C.Compresiceps - saw some adults the other day I only ever had babies and gave them away to friends because I could tell it would not work in my tank while they where in QT - anyway saw these adults and they are awsome tons of personality in a little tube their faces are just brilliant

Wills

Thats a bit far to travel im in norfolk. I might go to a LFS today and see if they can order them in for me. They do look amazing ive wanted one since you recommended one for my 30G agers ago but never had the space for just them.

 

[Wills]

Yeah I really like them but again never had the room for them or rather I did but I underestimated how nasty they were. But in a more open tank I could imagine them being okay I had 2 in a 10g QT tank for a week and the larger (only slightly though) was vicious he attacked the smaller so much I had to put the smaller down and gave the larger to a guy at my MA who has raised him and keeps him with some eels

But yeah excellent wet pet or pair for a 20g

Wills

 

[kizno1]

What type did you have? If there that aggressive im not sure if its worth the risk
This is the tank they will be going into if i get any


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Uploaded with ImageShack.us

It still needs alot of work in the higher levels but my apisto like it.

 

[Wills]

That tank looks perfect for them - I think I had problems because the tank was tiny it was only one of the arc 35s but all I had for QT and the shop I got them from is notorious for issues as of the past few months so I had to QT them but that tank really does look perfect for them tons of open space and tons of roots and twists!

But get a plain background and hide the heater a bit more haha! It will be a properly stunning tank then, as for height get some spindly bits of wood to stand up against the back It reminds me of one of Takeshi Amanos biotope tanks where he has a similar stained water look with some angels in.

Wills

 

[kizno1]

That tank looks perfect for them - I think I had problems because the tank was tiny it was only one of the arc 35s but all I had for QT and the shop I got them from is notorious for issues as of the past few months so I had to QT them but that tank really does look perfect for them tons of open space and tons of roots and twists!

But get a plain background and hide the heater a bit more haha! It will be a properly stunning tank then, as for height get some spindly bits of wood to stand up against the back It reminds me of one of Takeshi Amanos biotope tanks where he has a similar stained water look with some angels in.

Wills

I had just cleaned out the tank and taken all the wood out and forgot to move the heater back. Its behind the bit of wood at the back now. Yh the background it pretty bad but it came with the tank so i used it haha. I need to get a plane one for my 30G aswell Ill get round to it soon. I was thinking of adding some amazon frogbit to the tank bcause the roots will give alot of over in the higher level of the tank. Ill see what wood i can find to go in ther. Thanks . I like the stained colour you get from wood i dont see why people try to get rid of it.