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Johanna's pike cichlid (Crenicichla johanna) — Cichlidae

Johanna's pike cichlid

Crenicichla johanna
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Johanna's pike cichlid (Crenicichla johanna) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Freshwater of northern South America, including the Amazon and Guiana region.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Johanna's pike cichlid is an elongate cichlid from fresh waters of northern South America. The species grows to about 28 cm and has a stretched, pike-like body with a large mouth, adapted to a life as an ambush predator. Its ground colour is brownish with a dark lengthwise marking and blotches. It lives on the bottom of rivers and streams, often near cover, and hunts fishes and large invertebrates. Like other pike cichlids it forms pairs and carefully guards its brood. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Johanna's pike cichlid?

The Johanna's pike cichlid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Elongate, pike-like body with a large mouth; ambush predator that guards the brood.

Where does the Johanna's pike cichlid live?

The Johanna's pike cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Freshwater of northern South America, including the Amazon and Guiana region.

How big does the Johanna's pike cichlid get?

The Johanna's pike cichlid grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Johanna's pike cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Johanna's pike cichlid is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Johanna's pike cichlid edible?

The Johanna's pike cichlid is rarely eaten.

More photos

Johanna's pike cichlid (Crenicichla johanna) — Cichlidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — L. Randrihasipara (CC BY 4.0)
Johanna's pike cichlid (Crenicichla johanna) — Cichlidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Robert Hermann Schomburgk (Public domain)
Johanna's pike cichlid (Crenicichla johanna) — Cichlidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ernesto Octavio Guzman Tapia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Johanna's pike cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Crenicichla johanna
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Freshwater of northern South America, including the Amazon and Guiana region. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and large invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Spawns in the rainy season; it lays eggs on a substrate and guards the juveniles. inferred
Special features
Elongate, pike-like body with a large mouth; ambush predator that guards the brood. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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