The smallest species of Crenicichla (notably members of the C. wallaciispecies group) are no larger than 6–14 cm (2.4–5.5 in),[2] and are referred to as "
dwarf cichlids" for the
aquarium hobby – though their aggressive and territorial habits make them unsuitable for novice keepers. The biggest pike cichlids can grow to about 50 cm (20 in) long.[2] Most Crenicichla measure in the range of 15–30 cm (6–12 in).[3] Like many other predatory fishes, a pike cichlid has a wide mouth and elongated body.
Distribution and ecology
A 19th century watercolor painting of a pike cichlid from
Brazil by Jacques Burkhardt.
The vast majority of pike cichlids are
predatory and feed on fish, insects, and other small animals. They usually place themselves where they can stay undetected by the prey, like close to a sunken tree stem or behind a rock. This behavior, as well as the correspondingly
adapted shape, which resembles that the unrelated
pikes (Esocidae) of the
Holarctic, gives the pike cichlids their common name. An exception is C. tapii, which is similar in general appearance to other pike cichlids, but unusual for being gregarious and feeding on
periphyton.[5]
Species
There are currently around 93 recognized species in this genus:[3][6][7]
^
abcdePiálek, L., Dragová, K., Casciotta, J., Almirón, A. & Říčan, O. (2015): Description of two new species of Crenicichla (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the lower Iguazú River with a taxonomic reappraisal of C. iguassuensis, C. tesay and C. yaha. Historia Natural, 5(2): 5–27.
S2CID51899505
^Kullander, Sven O.; Varella, Henrique R. (September 2015). "Wallace's Pike Cichlid Gets a Name after 160 Years: A New Species of Cichlid Fish (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the Upper Rio Negro in Brazil". Copeia. 103 (3): 512–519.
doi:
10.1643/ci-14-169.
The smallest species of Crenicichla (notably members of the C. wallaciispecies group) are no larger than 6–14 cm (2.4–5.5 in),[2] and are referred to as "
dwarf cichlids" for the
aquarium hobby – though their aggressive and territorial habits make them unsuitable for novice keepers. The biggest pike cichlids can grow to about 50 cm (20 in) long.[2] Most Crenicichla measure in the range of 15–30 cm (6–12 in).[3] Like many other predatory fishes, a pike cichlid has a wide mouth and elongated body.
Distribution and ecology
A 19th century watercolor painting of a pike cichlid from
Brazil by Jacques Burkhardt.
The vast majority of pike cichlids are
predatory and feed on fish, insects, and other small animals. They usually place themselves where they can stay undetected by the prey, like close to a sunken tree stem or behind a rock. This behavior, as well as the correspondingly
adapted shape, which resembles that the unrelated
pikes (Esocidae) of the
Holarctic, gives the pike cichlids their common name. An exception is C. tapii, which is similar in general appearance to other pike cichlids, but unusual for being gregarious and feeding on
periphyton.[5]
Species
There are currently around 93 recognized species in this genus:[3][6][7]
^
abcdePiálek, L., Dragová, K., Casciotta, J., Almirón, A. & Říčan, O. (2015): Description of two new species of Crenicichla (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the lower Iguazú River with a taxonomic reappraisal of C. iguassuensis, C. tesay and C. yaha. Historia Natural, 5(2): 5–27.
S2CID51899505
^Kullander, Sven O.; Varella, Henrique R. (September 2015). "Wallace's Pike Cichlid Gets a Name after 160 Years: A New Species of Cichlid Fish (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the Upper Rio Negro in Brazil". Copeia. 103 (3): 512–519.
doi:
10.1643/ci-14-169.