Kaz

Species Profile: Crenicichla scotti

Scientific Name: Crenicichla scotti
Common Name: None
Distribution: Brazilian Uruguai drainage, lower Uruguai drainage in Uruguay and around Buenos Aires in Argentina. Also noted in the Rio Negro in northern Patagonia (Argentina).
Habitat: Same as for C. saxatilis.
Maximum Size: 10-12 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 3ft tank for single fish; 4ft tank for a pair.
Tank Set-up: Same as for C. saxatilis.
Temperature: 23-28 C
pH: 6.0 - 7.5
Hardness: Slightly soft water is best. Does not do well in hard, alkaline water.
Diet: Same as for C. saxatilis, but accepts pellets more readily.
Temperament: Intolerant of conspecifics and other pike cichlid species. Can be aggressive to other species of cichlids as well.
Sexing: Difficult.
Breeding: After a pair is formed, they will eradicate all tankmates and the female will lay their adhesive eggs in a secluded location. The female is responsible for the care of eggs and the male guards the immediate area against trespassers. The eggs hatch in about 3-4 days and the fry are free-swimming in another 3-4 days, depending on the temperature. The fry are fairly large and can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp immediately. Fry growth is very fast and if not segregated by size, cannibalism can lead to a highly biased sex ratio.