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Freshwater fishBlack Line Pike Cichlid
Black Line Pike Cichlid
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Black line pike cichlids have a cream-colored body and bold black horizontal lines. Pike cichlids are a great bottom dweller for a larger species community tank. These cichlids have beautiful markings and get along with other species of their same size, but they will eat fish they can fit in their mouth. AquariumFish.com imports our wild pike cichlids from Colombia, and they vary in pattern depending upon which area of the Amazon basin they are caught in. Pictured is a full-size adult male.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Crenicichla strigata |
| Origin | Amazon basin, South America |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Temperament | Predatory; eats smaller fish |
| Adult Size | Up to 12–14" |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years |
| Diet | Carnivore (meaty foods; takes pellets) |
| Water Temperature | 76–82°F |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Group Size | Single |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 4" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Give pike cichlids a sand bottom, caves, driftwood and rocks to hide in, plus a tight lid. Strong filtration is important, since they eat meaty foods.
Feeding: Feed meaty foods like frozen shrimp, plus quality sinking pellets once the fish learns to take them. Avoid feeder fish, which can carry disease.
Tankmates: Keep pike cichlids with robust fish too large to swallow, such as larger cichlids, plecos and catfish. Pike cichlids can be aggressive toward each other.
Good to know: Pike cichlids are ambush predators that hide among rocks and driftwood and strike quickly at food.
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