{"product_id":"venezuelan-striped-pike-crenicichla-sp-venezuela","title":"Venezuelan Striped Pike (Crenicichla sp. ‘Venezuela’)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRemarks:\u003c\/strong\u003e  The Venezuelan striped pike (\u003cem\u003eCrenicichla\u003c\/em\u003e sp. ‘Venezuela’) is one of the many undescribed species of pike cichlid within the hobby. They are often confused for \u003cem\u003eLugubria strigata\u003c\/em\u003e, but that species is found in Brazil. Instead, the Venezuelan striped pike is found around the Colombia\/Venezuela border within the Rio Orinoco basin. The confusion between the two species typically is in regards to the appearance juvenile fish. Both display thin black stripes along the top of the head and back, speckles on the face, and a large horizontal band that starts at the gill plate and ends in a black spot in the caudal fin. Adult Venezuelan striped pikes are far more colorful with a red and green hue that is more saturated along the edges of the fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e  Pike cichlids are known to be large, predatory, and territorial fish. Their impressive size and aggressive demeanor allow them to command large areas of territory both in the wild and in the home aquarium. The Venezuelan striped pike is known to be a particularly large and territorial species as most adult individuals will attack other pikes and even other groups of fish that are similar in shape such as chalceus. Some are a bit more mellow and juveniles can be kept together, but it is best to plan for these fish to have high levels of aggression once they reach adulthood. They do best when kept with large, robust, and tall bodied cichlids such as severums and uaru, or as a species only tank. Providing ample space as well as structure in the form of décor along with ensuring they are well fed on a high protein diet will help keep the pike’s aggression down. If cared for properly, the Venezuelan striped pike can be a great addition to a large South American cichlid community tank or can be appreciated in a tank of its own.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Imperial Tropicals","offers":[{"title":"2-3\" Unsexed Caño Vitina","offer_id":67970667118899,"sku":"L-40, L-45","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3-4\" Unsexed Caño Vitina","offer_id":67970670919987,"sku":"L-40, L-45","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0764\/6524\/2419\/files\/VenezuelanStripedPike2Website.jpg?v=1794495068","url":"https:\/\/imperialtropicals.com\/products\/venezuelan-striped-pike-crenicichla-sp-venezuela","provider":"Imperial Tropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}