Spotted Dwarf Pike Care Guide
Crenicichla notophthalmus is a true dwarf pike cichlid from the lower Rio Negro basin in Brazil, suited to medium community tanks with non-tiny fish.
Overview
Crenicichla notophthalmus is a true dwarf pike cichlid of the family Cichlidae, native to the Amazon River basin in the lower Rio Negro basin in Brazil. It has recently been placed in the genus Wallaciia. As one of the smallest in its group, it is suited to medium community tanks housing non-tiny fish.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Crenicichla
- Scientific name: Crenicichla notophthalmus
- Recent reclassification: Wallaciia notophthalmus
Habitat
The species occurs in the lower Rio Negro basin in Brazil. The Rio Negro is a soft, acidic blackwater system, and pike cichlids there typically inhabit margins with leaf litter, wood and submerged structure.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 2-8 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 5-7 years
A sand substrate with driftwood, leaf litter and caves suits this species and provides territories and ambush cover consistent with its blackwater origin.
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: Least Concern (assessed 2022).