Dorsal Ocelli in Dwarf Pikes

[freshwaterfishfan]

Hi,

When do the dorsal ocelli start showing up in female dwarf pikes (regani, notopthalmus)? I bought a group of what is suppose to be C. notopthalmus and many are quite small (about an inch). I have noticed only one fish so far has the dorsal spot and she is about 2 inches.
Thanks
Steve

 

[retro_gk]

Around 1.5-2" is when they started to show up in my regani and sp. Orinoco.

They might show them at an earlier age when stressed. Net 'em and see

 

[STOKER]

Crenicichla

Info taken from the net

Crenicichla notophthalmus

C. notophthalmus is found along the entire Rio Negro region, including the lower Rio Uaupes.

C. notophthalmus has a red and white strip on the upper edge of the caudal fin, the posterior part of the iris and its lower edge are bright red, and depending on mood, eleven dark vertical bars may be present on the upper half of the body. Males grow about one third larger than females, and the front of the dorsal fin is enlarged. Females have one or more ocelli or black and white markings on the dorsal fin.

If kept as a pair, the two specimens must be the same size, otherwise the larger of the two may kill the other.

When ready to breed, the female occupies a long narrow breeding cave, and regularly cleans the ceiling of the cave with her mouth. The closer it comes to spawning, the more misshapen, and intense reddish orange, the females belly becomes, and caring for the eggs and larvae are the sole responsibility of the female. The larvae hatch after three to four days and become free swimming seven to eight days later, once the juveniles are free swimming, both parents participate in brood care. The juveniles grow rapidly, often reaching a length of three centimetres after just two months, and parental care may last for up to four months.

Male adult size - 15cm
Female adult size - 10cm

Waters pH - 5.5
Hardness - 1 to 3 dGH
Temperature - 22 to 30 Degrees

Crenicichla regani
Regan's pike cichlid

C. regani is one of the most widely distributed species of the genus, and is found in almost every river system of the Amazon.

C. regani is an extraordinary polychromatic dwarf cichlid, it is small and has a distinct post ocular spot, and a equally distinct caudal spot of variable size. Males reach substantially larger sizes than females and have a white marginal band on the top edge of the caudal fin. Females have an extremely variable spotted pattern on their dorsal fin. C. regani is considered as one of the least demanding dwarf pike cichlids.

The closer it comes to spawning, the more intense the females colours become. The eggs are adhered in batches on the ceiling of the spawning cave, after that, the eggs and larvae are the sole responsibility of the female. The larvae take three to four days to hatch, and free swimming juveniles usually emerge from the cave after seven to eight days, then both parents participate in brood care. The young fry readily eat freshly hatched baby brine shrimp, and grow rapidly, reaching a length of more than two centimetres after just two months. Parental care care often lasts for several months and is preformed by both parents.

Male adult size - 13cm
Female adult size - 8cm

Waters pH - 6.0
Temperature - 20 to 30 Degrees

Mike