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Pike cichlid (Crenicichla lacustris) — Cichlidae

Pike cichlid

Crenicichla lacustris
Family: Cichlidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Pike cichlid (Crenicichla lacustris) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The pike cichlid is an elongate predatory cichlid from fresh water of southeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a slender, pike-like body with a large mouth and a dark longitudinal stripe. As an ambush hunter it shelters among roots and stones in rivers and lakes and darts at small fish and crustaceans. It is a caring parental fish. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pike cichlid?

The Pike cichlid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Pike cichlid live?

The Pike cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Pike cichlid get?

The Pike cichlid grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Pike cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Pike cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Pike cichlid edible?

The Pike cichlid is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Meer-snoekcichlide verified
English name
Pike cichlid verified
Scientific name
Crenicichla lacustris
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Hengelen met kunstaas sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Crenicichla

More from the family Cichlidae

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