pike cichlids

[Justin]

I have had experience with a pike cichlid once in a 30 gallon tank, and it seemed pretty aggressive towards some of my more docile fish (shovelnose catfish, especially). I am getting a 90 gallon tank soon, and want to keep shovelnose cats and pikes. Would it be a good idea to keep a small group of pikes together, so they may diffuse their aggression amongst themselves and not so much their tankmates? I heard that works with other fish.
I love pike cichlids; they are very personable. My old pike cichlid would smim excitedly whenever it was food time, and would even eat shrimp pellets from my hand and let me "pet" it. I also like shovelnose cats, and I really would like to keep them together with no problems. Thanx

Justin

[Disco]

That Sounds like it should work. Or if you want to, you can get a larger shovelnose just large enough to intimidate the pikes, but not eat them, but if the catfish is too small, it will be killed by a group of pikes.

[jak]

Hi Justin,
Wow, the pikes must be friendly over your way. Here in Oz, everyone I know keeps only 2 in a tank (usually a 6x2x2) and even then, they are separated with a bread crate. The males are usually pretty tough on the females and therefore have to spawn through the crate.
Good luck with your venture
Anita

[Justin]

Thanks for the advise. At the pet store, they keep 4 or 5 pikes together, but one of them looks a little different. Its a little bigger, and has less distinct color. When I watch it, it seems to pick on the 3-4 smaller, more colorful ones. Is it a male or a female you think? These pikes also seem to get along with a few fingerling peacock bass, who are smaller and more docile.

[jak]

Hi Justin,
My friend who has these has the joanna variety and the female is much better coloured than the male.She has a really red belly where he is rather plain - makes a nice change don't you think?? ;D ;D
So it could be the same with the ones you saw too. I am not up on Crenicichla so it's just a guess.
Anita