Edit Ctenolucius hujeta
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Name
Scientific name
Ctenolucius hujeta
Described by
Authority Valenciennes, Year 1850, Bracketed
Family
Ctenoluciidae
Common names
Gar Characin
Photograph credits
All 6 credited
Summary
The gar characin, Ctenolucius hujeta, is a predatory pike characid from the Lake Maracaibo basin in Venezuela west to the Río Sinú in Colom…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
250mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 180 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–28°C, pH 5–7.5
Hardness
1–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Predatory
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Colombia, Venezuela, Magdalena, Sinú
Writing
Etymology
Ctenolucius: from a form of the Ancient Greek κτείς (kteís), meaning 'comb'-, and Latin lucius, used in reference to the superficially similar northern pike, E…
Distribution
It's natural range extends west from the Lake Maracaibo basin of northwestern Venezuela via the Río Magdalena drainage in northern Colombia as far as the Río S…
Habitat
Information regarding this species' ecology is somewhat lacking but expect it to hunt at the surface around patches of floating, overhanging or emergent margin…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base measuring at least 180 ∗ 60 cm is recommended. Water depth is less important but should not be less than 30 cm.
Maintenance
This species is a near-exclusive inhabitant of the upper water column and appreciates surface cover in the form of floating or overhanging vegetation. Other dé…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
An obligate predator feeding mostly on smaller fishes and insects in nature but in most cases adapting well to dead alternatives in captivity. Smaller specimen…
Behaviour and compatibility
Surprisingly peaceful with anything too large to swallow and can be maintained in a community provided tankmates are chosen with care. Aggressively territorial…
Sexual dimorphism
Sexually mature females tend to be a little larger and rounder-bodied than males. The anal-fin rays in mature males are noticeably thicker than in females and …
Reproduction
Very little information exists though this is likely to be as much a result of lack of effort than any great difficulty in inducing the fish to spawn. The most…
Notes
C. hujeta is traded under various names including 'slant-nosed gar', 'hujeta gar', 'rocket gar' and 'freshwater barracuda' but it and other members of the fami…
References
References
6 on this profile