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Bigeye pike cichlid (Crenicichla macrophthalma) — Cichlidae

Bigeye pike cichlid

Crenicichla macrophthalma
Family: Cichlidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Bigeye pike cichlid (Crenicichla macrophthalma) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bigeye pike cichlid is a slender predatory cichlid from fresh water of northern South America. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, pike-like body with conspicuously large eyes and a large mouth. As an ambush hunter it shelters among roots and plants in rivers and darts at small fish and crustaceans. It is a caring parental fish. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye pike cichlid?

The Bigeye pike cichlid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bigeye pike cichlid live?

The Bigeye pike cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Bigeye pike cichlid get?

The Bigeye pike cichlid grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Bigeye pike cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye pike cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigeye pike cichlid edible?

The Bigeye pike cichlid is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootoog-snoekcichlide verified
English name
Bigeye pike cichlid verified
Scientific name
Crenicichla macrophthalma
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Crenicichla

More from the family Cichlidae

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