Spotted Pike Characin (Boulengerella maculata)

Fish in the family Ctenoluciidae. Hard care. Freshwater.

Quick facts

Scientific nameBoulengerella maculata

FamilyCtenoluciidae

Also known asPike Characin, Spotted Boulengerella

Care levelHard

Reef safetyFreshwater

TemperamentSemi-aggressive

DietCarnivore

Adult size14 in

Minimum tank size100 gallons

Water parametersTemp 75-82°F, pH 5.5-7.0, GH 2-12 dGH

Appearance

Long pencil-like silver body with dark spotting, a needle-like beaked snout, and dorsal/anal fins set far back near the tail.

Difficulty and care for the Spotted Pike Characin

Hard

Origin and habitat

South America (Amazon, Orinoco)

Keeper notes

A slender surface-dwelling pike characin that hunts small fish; peaceful with tankmates too large to eat but a nervous, twitchy species prone to crashing into the glass and leaping from open tanks. Often a fussy live-food feeder at first.

Log Spotted Pike Characin in your reef tank

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