Pike cichlids are long, torpedo-shaped predators from South American rivers. They are striking and full of character, but they eat any fish that fits in their mouth and fight with their own kind. Size varies hugely across the group, from dwarf species of about 3 inches to giants of over a foot. Picking the right species for your tank is the most important decision you will make.
Table of Contents
Pike cichlid quick facts
| Scientific name | Crenicichla, a genus with around 100 described species |
| Origin | Rivers and streams across South America |
| Adult size | About 3 inches for dwarf species to over 12 inches for large species |
| Tank size | 30 gallons for dwarfs, 75 gallons for mid-size, 125 gallons or more for large species |
| Temperature | 76 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) |
| pH | 6.0 to 7.5, soft to moderately hard water |
| Diet | Carnivore: sinking carnivore pellets and frozen foods |
| Temperament | Predatory and territorial |
| Lifespan | Often around 10 years with good care |
| Difficulty | Intermediate to advanced |
Popular pike cichlid species
| Species | Approx. adult size | Minimum tank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dwarf pike cichlid (C. compressiceps) | 3 inches | 30 gallons | Best choice for most hobbyists. Still eats tiny fish. |
| C. regani | 5 inches | 30 to 40 gallons | Another small species, often sold as a dwarf pike. |
| Two-spot or comb pike (C. lepidota) | 8 inches | 75 gallons | Widespread and one of the most commonly traded. |
| Orange pike, Xingu I | 12 inches | 125 gallons | Bright orange juveniles turn olive-bronze as adults. Likes strong current. |
| Red Atabapo pike | 11 to 14 inches | 125 gallons | Deep red color that fades in poor water. |
| Venezuelan pike | 14 inches | 150 gallons | Juveniles are patterned. Adults turn gray-blue with red eyes and become very aggressive. |
The “African pike” is not a cichlid. Hepsetus odoe is an African characin that is sometimes sold under the pike name. It grows much larger and has different needs.
Tank setup
- Length matters more than height. Pike cichlids hunt along the bottom and sides, so a long, wide tank gives them room and lets you split territories.
- Caves and cover. Provide rock caves, pipes and driftwood so each fish can hold a territory and break line of sight with others.
- Sand or fine gravel. They dig, especially around caves.
- Strong filtration. They eat meaty food and produce a lot of waste. Aim for filtration rated well above your tank size. Our canister filter guide has options.
- Good current and oxygen for river species such as the Xingu I.
- A tight lid. Pike cichlids can jump when startled.
- Clean, stable water. Weekly water changes of 25 to 40 percent keep nitrate low and colors strong. See our aquarium cleaning guide.
Feeding
- Feed a quality sinking carnivore pellet as the staple.
- Add frozen foods such as mysis, krill, bloodworm and, for large species, silversides or chopped fish.
- Juveniles eat once or twice a day. Adults do well on one meal a day, with a skipped day each week.
- Avoid feeder goldfish and rosy reds. They carry disease, and goldfish are high in fat and contain an enzyme that breaks down vitamin B1. Wild-caught pike cichlids sometimes need live food at first, but most can be weaned onto frozen food.
Tank mates
The rule is simple: anything that fits in a pike cichlid’s mouth will eventually be eaten. Good tank mates are robust, too large to swallow, and come from similar water conditions:
🐠 Free: Beginner Aquarium Setup Checklist
Enter your email and we'll send you the exact checklist for setting up a thriving first tank.
- Larger South American cichlids such as severums, geophagus and, for large pikes, oscars
- Silver dollars and large tetras for dwarf and mid-size species, if they are adults
- Armored catfish such as plecos and larger corydoras with dwarf species
Avoid small schooling fish, shrimp, slow long-finned fish, and other pike cichlids unless the tank is large enough for separate territories or you are keeping a bonded pair. Read more in our freshwater fish care guides.
Males, females and breeding
In many pike species, females are smaller and more colorful, often with a red or pink belly when ready to breed. Males are larger, and some have spots or bands in the dorsal fin. Pairs spawn in caves, and both parents guard the eggs and fry fiercely. The easiest way to get a pair is to raise a group of juveniles and let a pair form, then rehome the rest before fights start.
Frequently asked questions
How big do pike cichlids get?
It depends on the species. Dwarf pike cichlids such as Crenicichla compressiceps reach about 3 inches, while the two-spot pike reaches about 8 inches. Large species such as the Xingu I and Venezuelan pike reach 12 to 14 inches. Check the species before buying.
Are pike cichlids aggressive?
Yes. Pike cichlids are predators that eat any fish that fits in their mouth and are territorial with their own kind. They can live with robust fish too large to swallow. Keep one per territory unless you have a bonded pair.
What tank size does a pike cichlid need?
About 30 gallons for dwarf species, 75 gallons for mid-size species such as the two-spot pike, and 125 gallons or more for large species. A long, wide tank with caves matters more than height. Provide caves for every fish and a tight lid, since they can jump.
What do pike cichlids eat?
They are carnivores. Feed a quality sinking carnivore pellet as a staple, with frozen mysis, krill and bloodworms. Larger species also take silversides. Avoid feeder goldfish, which carry disease and break down vitamin B1. Feed juveniles daily and adults about once a day.
Is the African pike a cichlid?
No. The African pike, Hepsetus odoe, is an African characin that is sometimes sold under the pike name. It grows much larger than most pike cichlids and has different care needs. Check the scientific name on the label before you buy a pike fish.
What we’d do
For most people, we’d start with a dwarf pike cichlid such as C. compressiceps or C. regani in a 40-gallon breeder with sand, rock caves and a group of fish too large to swallow. It gives you all the hunting behavior and color in a manageable tank. We’d only move to a large species with a tank of 125 gallons or more and room in the budget for strong filtration.
Pike cichlids are the wrong fish for a community tank of small fish, a shrimp tank, or anyone who doesn’t want to do big weekly water changes.
Related guides: Texas cichlid, jaguar cichlid, jewel cichlid.