Armored pike in an aquarium

The Sturisoma panamense, commonly known as the armored pike, is a potentially eye-catching addition to your aquarium. These fascinating fish add a hint of exotica to your tank with their distinctive looks and captivating behaviors. They are popular among aquarists due to their unique scales that resemble armor and their calm disposition.

Because they are indigenous to the rivers of Central America, armored pikes have different care needs depending on their natural environment. They do best in tanks that are densely planted, have lots of hiding places, and have consistently warm water. Not only do their armored bodies look good, but they also serve as a means of defense against wild predators. These scales give them a distinctive appearance and make them stand out from other fish in an aquarium.

The feeding habits of armored pikes are one of the most fascinating aspects of keeping them. Their unique mouths enable them to feed on biofilm and algae. Because of this, they make fantastic tank companions for controlling algae. To stay healthy, they do require a varied diet, so be ready to add high-quality fish food to their meals.

Armoured pikes can make a fantastic and eye-catching addition to your aquarium given the correct conditions and care. They may be a favorite among fish enthusiasts due to their serene disposition and distinctive appearance. These fish can become a fun and interesting addition to your aquatic setup if you’re prepared to give them the care they need.

Aspect	Description
Scientific Name	Atractosteus spatula
Size	Can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in the wild, but smaller in aquariums
Tank Size	Needs a large tank, preferably 200 gallons or more
Diet	Prefers a diet of live or frozen fish, but can be fed pellets
Tank Setup	Requires plenty of swimming space, good filtration, and a secure lid
Water Conditions	Thrives in warm water with temperatures between 75-85°F (24-29°C)
Behavior	Generally peaceful but can be territorial; best kept with larger, non-aggressive fish
Special Needs	Regular water changes and a strong filter are essential to keep the tank clean
Origin	Native to the southeastern United States
Tank Mates	Can be kept with other large fish like cichlids, but avoid small fish

Habitat and features of appearance

Members of the armored family include armored pike. Although North America is its native habitat, this subspecies can also occasionally be found in South American reservoirs. The armored pike is thought to be among the oldest creatures to have undergone significant evolutionary change. Scientists estimate that the first members of this predatory fish species appeared approximately 7 million years ago.

Pike are distinguished by their massive size and extremely dense, hard scales that have a diamond-like shape. With an average adult size of one to 1.5 meters, this fish is best suited for very large aquariums or man-made ponds and reservoirs.

It has an elongated muzzle with strong, sharp teeth and a body shaped like a torpedo. The armored pike’s unusual coloring makes it look incredibly impressive. The fish’s body is a light olive color with deep dark patches running along it that create unique, odd patterns.

It is interesting to note that the armored pike stops growing in aquarium conditions, even though it can reach a height of two meters in its natural habitat. Furthermore, the growth processes slow down more quickly the smaller the artificial reservoir’s volume. There are frequently 40–45 cm long aquarium armored pikes.

This fish’s unique structure sets it apart from other subspecies. For instance, the spinal column’s segments only feature one-sided depressions—not two-sided ones. The swim bladder of the pike aids in restoring and preserving respiratory function. The armored pike’s jaw apparatus, which has an appearance akin to a bird’s beak, enables it to catch and hold its prey before swallowing it.

This fish has an intriguing visual system as well. The pike’s large, highly convex eyes allow it to have exceptional bipolar vision and all-around visibility. The fins are covered in sharp scales and resemble sharks in appearance. When it swims in a watery setting, this big fish looks like a log, which is a very useful disguise when hunting in the wild.

The armored pike is a great option if you’re looking to add a striking and unusual fish to your aquarium. This fish offers aquarium enthusiasts an engaging experience in addition to improving the visual appeal of your tank with its unique appearance and fascinating behavior. This post will discuss the unique qualities of the armored pike, including how to take care of it, what kind of tank conditions it needs, and how to provide an environment that will allow this magnificent fish to flourish.

Necessary conditions for keeping in an aquarium

Since the armored pike is a rather unique fish, novice anglers should avoid it. Such an oddball pet is best suited for seasoned aquarists who know how to manage predators. First of all, because of its size, the armored pike needs a large aquarium—one that can hold at least 150 liters.

The animal will need to have dense thickets of algae and greenery added to the reservoir beforehand, as it tends to become lonely. It is crucial to have weak water flow and lighting that is sufficiently bright and intense. The range of temperatures that work best is +18 to +25 °C. Indicators of water hardness (-8–17) and acidity (pH 6.5-8) are suggested.

Purchasing strong, premium equipment is necessary to ensure adequate filtration and aeration, which should be attended to prior to settling the pike in the aquarium. All decorative elements in the aquarium must be very carefully secured, preferably fixed to the bottom, due to the strength and activity of the armored pike.

It should be noted that armored pike are frequently seen attempting to leap out of the water and are quite active and mobile, particularly at night.

For this reason, it is essential to cover the aquarium with transparent glass to prevent potential issues and possibly fish death.

Features of nutrition

Since the armored pike is a predator by nature, its food is predetermined. The best food will be worms, tiny fish, tadpoles, crustaceans, or worms. But frozen squid, shrimp, and other seafood also work well. Additionally, prefabricated specialized food can be bought; this food was created with the unique characteristics and requirements of large predatory fish in mind.

Some inexperienced aquarists feed pieces of raw meat to armored pike, but experts say this is highly undesirable. The truth is that the organisms of aquatic life have trouble absorbing and metabolizing the lipids found in meat, which can lead to the development of digestive disorders like indigestion and obesity.

Feeding an armored pike is an unusual and somewhat complicated procedure.

The fish won’t eat from the bottom, so you should only feed it with tweezers. Hand movements can trigger the fish’s natural hunting instincts and cause serious harm to the aquarist.

A few times a week, adults are fed. However, feeding young pikes more frequently will hasten their growth and guarantee that all of their internal organs and systems develop fully. Because pike are primarily nocturnal animals, evenings are thought to be the best time to feed them.

Behavior and compatibility with other aquarium inhabitants

Because they can tolerate being alone, armored pikes should ideally be kept in an aquarium by themselves. This is because finding an artificial reservoir large enough for them to live in can be challenging.

It is crucial to consider the animal’s innate hunting instincts and steer clear of keeping it near small fish when choosing whether to house it in an aquarium with other aquatic animals. The largest members of the aquatic realm make the ideal neighbors for the armored pike:

• arowans;
• American cichlids;
• knifefish;
• sturgeon;
• polypterus;
• pacu piranha;
• sack-gill or chainmail catfish;
• tilapia.

The fish’s size is the most crucial factor in determining whether or not the armored pike will absorb them. It is strongly advised against keeping shrimp, mollusks, mussels, or small peaceful fish in the same tank as predatory fish because the predator will literally destroy the latter species within a day.

Armoured pike exhibit a rather phlegmatic and calm demeanor. When they are hunting or when possible prey enters their field of vision, they are active. They occasionally enjoy swimming in the upper water layers. They are mostly active during these hours because they are nocturnal creatures.

Basic care requirements

To ensure the armored pike has the best possible experience in the aquarium, good health, and a long lifespan, there are several care guidelines that must be adhered to:

1. Daily check of filter units, aerators, heating and lighting devices. After all, if they break, the basic water parameters necessary for the health and full functioning of the armored pike will not be observed.
2. Regular cleaning of water filters.
3. Replacement of liquid in the aquarium by at least 30%, at least once a week.
4. Use only high-quality and clean water, without chlorine and other chemically harmful, toxic substances, to which armored pike are extremely sensitive and susceptible.
5. Cleaning the soil from waste products, as well as food residues and other contaminants (read more about how to properly siphon the soil in the aquarium).

Many dangerous diseases can be avoided by adhering to these basic guidelines.

Is breeding possible

It is nearly hard to reproduce armored pike in aquarium settings. Only in thickets of algae, the natural habitat, does spawning take place between May and July. The incubation period is roughly two weeks long. Since the armored pike themselves frequently consume their own eggs, larvae, and fry, many young individuals perish.

Also read:

• the largest fish in the world;
• predatory aquarium fish;
• aquarium sharks.

The process of domestication and taming of the armored pike

Because nature has strong hunting instincts, it is impossible to tame the armored pike and make it a peaceful pet. Since armored pikes cannot reproduce in aquarium settings, all of them that wind up in artificial reservoirs were captured in the wild.

It is advised to buy these aquatic representatives in the summertime because abrupt temperature changes can stress out fish to the point of death.

The most crucial thing is to make sure the aquarium has enough water for the armored pike.

Even if the animal will eventually live with other aquarium residents, it is preferable to house it separately at first. An armored pike that has recently been taken from its natural habitat and is used to hunting and protecting itself from other predators will, after all, initially act in a very hostile manner.

The armored pike is a unique and fascinating aquatic creature that, in spite of its violent and predatory habits, progressively adjusts to new surroundings and makes a great ornament for any aquarium.

Photo of an armored pike

With their distinct look and habits, armored pike make a visually stunning and intriguing addition to any aquarium. They are a distinctive feature of a well-kept tank because of their elegant movements and striking, armored bodies. They are not the easiest fish to take care of, though, so you should be ready for their particular requirements.

As much as possible, try to create an aquarium that closely resembles the natural habitat of armored pike to keep them happy and healthy. This entails offering a large enough swimming area, a suitable substrate, and a thoughtfully designed tank arrangement with lots of hiding places. Due to their sensitivity to environmental changes, these fish require routine maintenance and water quality checks.

It can also be difficult to feed armored pike. To stay healthy, they need a varied diet that frequently includes frozen or live foods. Providing for their nutritional needs will enable them to flourish and show off their vivid colors and lively behavior.

In conclusion, armored pike require a dedicated and experienced aquarist, even though they can be a rewarding fish to keep. These fish can become an enthralling focal point in your aquarium and bring a bit of the wild into your aquatic setup with the correct care and surroundings.

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