My new dwarf pikes - Crenicichla notophthalmus

**nicktc** · 8th Apr 2008, 12:27

Just got a pair of this dwarf last night.
Waiting patiently in their quarantine tank.

Can’t wait for them to settle in.

Here’s a picture of the pair.

Cheers
Nicholas

**Wackytpt** · 8th Apr 2008, 12:31

The pair looks pretty good as of now.

**nicktc** · 8th Apr 2008, 13:18

Originally Posted by Wackytpt

The pair looks pretty good as of now.

I saw the male flare once. Very nice pointed front dorsal spine, similar to ap. elizabethae and rams.

**genes** · 8th Apr 2008, 17:12

Very nice fishes. I know of a bro who keeps them too!

I think only C. notophthalmus have the seperated dorsal menbrane which make them very unique compared to the other Crenicichla species.

I read that they are very aggressive towards each other and that bonds usually form when kept in large groups. So do take note and look out for fights or injuries. Also better to keep them in big tanks. They can grow up to 15cm long. Small tank also means higher chance of "line of sight" and can result in aggravated behaviour if the pair cannot bond.

**trident** · 8th Apr 2008, 17:13

nick,
nice looking pair.
where did you buy them from? C328?
I recall seeing some dwarf pike there before.

**YH 3340** · 8th Apr 2008, 18:41

nice pair . but i never seen this fish , the male with black sport in tail?
thanks for the sharing and cheers.

**genes** · 8th Apr 2008, 19:46

The black spot on the dorsal fin is a female. Females are more colourful then males in this fishes.

**nicktc** · 9th Apr 2008, 10:13

Originally Posted by genes

Very nice fishes. I know of a bro who keeps them too!

I think only C. notophthalmus have the seperated dorsal menbrane which make them very unique compared to the other Crenicichla species.

I read that they are very aggressive towards each other and that bonds usually form when kept in large groups. So do take note and look out for fights or injuries. Also better to keep them in big tanks. They can grow up to 15cm long. Small tank also means higher chance of "line of sight" and can result in aggravated behaviour if the pair cannot bond.

Hi genes, you were spot on. They were really aggressive when I put them into my 2ft setup. Both male and female were flaring and fighting for the best spot.

The color of the female is just stunning. The male made up for it with its beautiful display of its finnage.
Wasted, my camera is not with me….

**nicktc** · 9th Apr 2008, 22:54

some clearer shots of the pair

male

female

**illumnae** · 9th Apr 2008, 23:03

very pretty pair nick!

**doppelbanddwarf** · 10th Apr 2008, 09:31

Very nice fish, they look well fed.

**valice** · 14th Apr 2008, 13:45

Originally Posted by trident

nick,
nice looking pair.
where did you buy them from? C328?
I recall seeing some dwarf pike there before.

The ones at C328 are usually C.compressiceps.
Been longing to get hold of one pair of C.notophthalmus too.

What have you been feeding them?

**yorky** · 14th Apr 2008, 14:21

hi Valice, there were 5/6 pairs of C.notophthalmus at C328 last Thursday/Friday.
It was sold out that same evening.
Hopefully auntie will bring some more in.

**valice** · 14th Apr 2008, 14:56

Oooooo!
Thanks for the heads up. Will check with Auntie.

**nicktc** · 14th Apr 2008, 16:57

Originally Posted by yorky

hi Valice, there were 5/6 pairs of C.notophthalmus at C328 last Thursday/Friday.
It was sold out that same evening.
Hopefully auntie will bring some more in.

I saw the last pair on Friday night. Male is notophthalmus but female is regani.

Originally Posted by valice

The ones at C328 are usually C.compressiceps.
Been longing to get hold of one pair of C.notophthalmus too.

What have you been feeding them?

Currently feeding the adult brine shrimp.

They love it, dead or alive.

**genes** · 14th Apr 2008, 18:00

How do you know that female is a C. regani? If the first few dorsal menbrane is seperated like the male. It should be a C. notophthalmus. Only C. notophthalmus have the seperated dorsal menbrane if i am not wrong.

Also, anyone knows if these are wild or bred specimens? They are really a good bargain considering I nearly paid a 3 digit figure for a pair form Barcelos.

**michael lai** · 14th Apr 2008, 18:23

Originally Posted by nicktc

I saw the last pair on Friday night. Male is notophthalmus but female is regani.

Currently feeding the adult brine shrimp.

They love it, dead or alive.

Huh!? Don't tell me I got that pair...

cannot be leh, the female got spot on the dorsal ...but auntie said the last pair