African Pike

Outwardly, this fish bears a significant resemblance to the Central European pike, differing only in its higher and more massive body, and a less elongated mouth. Adult individuals can reach impressive sizes — up to 70 cm in length, however, in home aquarium conditions, they grow significantly less intensively.

As the name suggests, the homeland of this species is the African continent. The fish is widespread throughout Africa, inhabiting almost all water bodies, be it lagoons, rivers, lakes, or swamps. It prefers places with slow currents, staying in coastal areas rich in dense vegetation and numerous shelters.

This species is not suitable for keeping in a community tank. African pikes are kept either alone or in small groups. Co-habitation with large catfish or bichirs of similar size is permissible. Any fish smaller in size will be perceived as potential food.

Even if the pike does not reach its maximum size in aquarium conditions, the minimum tank volume for one individual should be no less than 500 liters. In decorating the aquarium, it is recommended to use snags, smooth stones, and large aquarium plants. These elements form a kind of coastal area with various shelters, while most of the space remains free. It is important to provide a tight lid or cover glass to prevent the fish from accidentally jumping out, especially during hunting. When planning such an aquarium, specialists usually handle its connection and placement of the necessary equipment, so there is no need to describe in detail the features of filtration systems and other technical aspects in this article. Optimal keeping conditions are characterized by a weak current, moderate lighting, water temperature in the range of 25–28°C, slightly acidic pH with low to medium hardness.

This is a true predator that hunts its prey by ambushing. Given that most African pikes enter aquariums from the wild, their diet should include live fish. Livebearers, such as guppies, which are characterized by frequent and abundant reproduction, are often used as feed. Over time, the pike can be accustomed to consuming meat products: these can be pieces of shrimp, earthworms, mussels, as well as fresh or frozen fish.

In home aquariums, this species generally does not reproduce. Young African pike individuals are usually imported either from the wild or from specialized fish farms. In natural waters, individuals become sexually mature upon reaching a length of about 15 cm. During the spawning period, the male builds a nest among dense vegetation, which he then jealously guards. The female, using special glands, attaches the eggs to the base of the nest. After the fry hatch, the parents leave their offspring. The fry remain in the nest for the first few days, and then begin an independent life. The special sticky substance remaining after spawning continues to be used by the fry to attach to plants, which provides them with shelter from predators and allows them to conserve energy.

The African pike has a strong immune system, however, if keeping conditions are violated, especially with poor filtration and accumulation of organic waste, it becomes susceptible to bacterial infections. The main signs of diseases are the appearance of ulcers on the body, fin erosion, reddening of the skin, and clouding of the mucous membrane. For prevention, it is necessary to maintain high water quality, ensure powerful biological and mechanical filtration, and regularly perform water changes. The fish is extremely sensitive to the cleanliness of its habitat, so any deviations from the parameters can provoke stress and subsequent development of pathologies.

When choosing an African pike, attention should be paid to the activity of the individual and the cleanliness of its skin. A healthy fish should be active, without visible damage, ulcers, spots, or signs of emaciation. It is important to ensure that the individual does not show signs of labored breathing or apathy. Since this species is a predator, fish are often kept alone or with similarly sized tank mates in stores; aggression towards other individuals in a community tank is natural behavior. It is recommended to clarify with the seller what type of food the fish is accustomed to, as transitioning wild-caught individuals to a non-live diet may take time.