Difference between revisions of "Luciocephalus pulcher"

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|min_ph=5.5
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|min_ph=3.0
|max_ph=7.2
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|max_ph=6.0
 
|min_temperature=72
 
|min_temperature=72
 
|max_temperature=79
 
|max_temperature=79
 
|temperature_units=F
 
|temperature_units=F
|min_water_hardness=10
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== Tank compatibility ==
 
== Tank compatibility ==
:This is a predatory hunter with an comparatively large mouth, it can be kept in groups of it's own kind and any other tank mates must be larger, relatively docile but robust fish.
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:This is a predatory - but surprisingly shy - anabantoid with a comparatively large mouth, and is best kept in a species tank consisting of similarly sized specimens to prevent cannibalism from ensuing. Most other species large enough not to be eaten will severely stress the pikeheads.
  
 
        
 
        
 
== Diet ==
 
== Diet ==
:This fish can be difficult to feed and is best fed with live foods such as [[bloodworm]], it is piscavorous in nature and will eat fish smaller than itself.
+
:This fish rarely takes anything other than live foods such as [[bloodworm]]s, shrimp, and small fish. It is piscivorous in the wild and primarily hunts smaller fish in its native waters, with fishes so victimized being as much as half the length of the attacking pikehead.
  
 
        
 
        
 
== Feeding regime ==
 
== Feeding regime ==
:Feed once or twice a day.
+
:Feed once or twice daily, keeping in mind this species' need for immaculate water quality.
  
 
        
 
        
 
== Environment specifics ==
 
== Environment specifics ==
:This fish must be kept in immaculate acidic conditions and can be very sensitive to water quality issues so any tank must be very mature. They do best in planted tanks without very bright lighting and plenty of hiding places.
+
:This fish must be kept in immaculate, very soft and acidic conditions and can be very sensitive to water quality issues, so any tank intended to house them must be very mature. They do best in planted and/or blackwater tanks with dim lighting and plenty of hiding places.
 +
 
 +
== Notes ==
 +
:In addition to being sensitive to begin with, pikeheads do not handle shipping well and frequently fall ill as a consequence of the stresses of being shipped. They are not frequently spawned; like chocolate gouramies (to which they are particularly closely related), this fish is a paternal mouthbrooder and produces relatively large fry that can immediately take baby brine shrimp and microworms.
  
 
        
 
        

Revision as of 20:54, 12 November 2019

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Pikehead

Luciocephalus pulcher

170 Litres (45 US G.)

17.8-20.3cm (7-8 ")

sg

Freshwater

pH

3.0 - 6.0

22.2-26.1°C (72 -79 °F)

0-10 °d

1:2 M:F

Carnivore
Live Foods

5-8 years

Family

Osphronemidae





Additional names

Pikehead, Crocodile Fish


Origin

Asia: Peninsular Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia and Singapore


Tank compatibility

This is a predatory - but surprisingly shy - anabantoid with a comparatively large mouth, and is best kept in a species tank consisting of similarly sized specimens to prevent cannibalism from ensuing. Most other species large enough not to be eaten will severely stress the pikeheads.


Diet

This fish rarely takes anything other than live foods such as bloodworms, shrimp, and small fish. It is piscivorous in the wild and primarily hunts smaller fish in its native waters, with fishes so victimized being as much as half the length of the attacking pikehead.


Feeding regime

Feed once or twice daily, keeping in mind this species' need for immaculate water quality.


Environment specifics

This fish must be kept in immaculate, very soft and acidic conditions and can be very sensitive to water quality issues, so any tank intended to house them must be very mature. They do best in planted and/or blackwater tanks with dim lighting and plenty of hiding places.

Notes

In addition to being sensitive to begin with, pikeheads do not handle shipping well and frequently fall ill as a consequence of the stresses of being shipped. They are not frequently spawned; like chocolate gouramies (to which they are particularly closely related), this fish is a paternal mouthbrooder and produces relatively large fry that can immediately take baby brine shrimp and microworms.

Pictures

External links