Compressed Pike Cichlid Care Guide
Crenicichla compressiceps is a compact-bodied dwarf pike cichlid from the Tocantins river in Brazil, smaller and more peaceful than typical pikes.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Crenicichla compressiceps is a compact-bodied dwarf pike cichlid of the family Cichlidae, found in the Amazon River basin and the lower Tocantins River basin in Brazil. It has recently been placed in the genus Wallaciia. It is smaller and more peaceful than typical pike cichlids.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Crenicichla
- Scientific name: Crenicichla compressiceps
- Recent reclassification: Wallaciia compressiceps
Habitat
The species occurs in the Amazon basin and lower Tocantins River in Brazil. Pike cichlids of this group typically occupy structured river margins with rocks, wood and crevices.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 25-29 °C (77-84 °F)
- pH: 5.0-7.0
- GH: 1-6 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
A sand substrate with driftwood, rockwork and caves suits this species and provides the crevices and territories it favours.
Diet
A carnivore that takes meaty live and frozen foods in the aquarium, fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
A semi-aggressive, mid-water predator. Robust tankmates such as silver dollars, severums, bristlenose plecos and large tetras are suitable, while small tetras, shrimp and other aggressive cichlids should be avoided.
Breeding
A cave spawner with breeding difficulty considered intermediate.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Data Deficient.
Crenicichla compressiceps Breeding Guide
Overview
Crenicichla compressiceps is a compact dwarf pike cichlid from the lower Rio Tocantins basin in Para, Brazil. Seriously Fish describes it as a cave brooder, and AquaInfo confirms it as a cave spawner that uses driftwood as a nesting site. Both sources note it is challenging to breed and that relatively little is documented about its reproduction.
Sexing
According to Seriously Fish, males have striped yellow fins and females may develop a reddened belly when ripening. AquaInfo notes a size difference, with males reaching about 7-8 cm and females about 5-6 cm.
Conditioning
Seriously Fish recommends conditioning pairs on high-quality live or frozen foods. Because males are very territorial, especially during spawning, AquaInfo suggests keeping one male with two or three females so aggression is spread out.
Breeding Setup
Provide caves and complex driftwood structure, as Seriously Fish notes the fish hide their eggs in twists of wood or under rocks. Reported breeding parameters from Seriously Fish are 24-27 C, pH 5.0-6.8 and hardness of 2-8 dH; AquaInfo gives a broader range of 24-30 C, pH 5.5-7.5 and GH 0-4. Including target fish is widely recommended to diffuse aggression and strengthen the pair bond.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Seriously Fish describes courtship as a head-down shaking dance. The species often spawns poorly without target fish present, which reduce intraspecific aggression and help cement the pair bond. A clutch is small, with Seriously Fish reporting only around 25 to 50 eggs, suspended by adhesive filaments from the spawning surface.
Egg & Fry Care
According to Seriously Fish the eggs hatch in two to three days, with fry becoming free-swimming within about four further days. The parents guard the brood carefully, and parental care is reported to be noticeably stronger when other fish are present in the tank.
Common Challenges
Forming a compatible, stable pair is the principal difficulty, and male territoriality can endanger females. Small clutch sizes and the need for stable soft water mean yields are modest, so target fish and ample cover are key to consistent success.