Edit Hepsetus odoe
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Name
Scientific name
Hepsetus odoe
Described by
Not recorded
Family
Hepsetidae
Common names
African Pike Characin
Photograph credits
All 2 credited
Summary
The African pike characin, Hepsetus odoe, is a predatory characin of West and Central Africa, found from the Sassandra in Ivory Coast to Kr…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
700mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 180 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm, Minimum height 60 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 25–28°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
8–18dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
It is found in West and Central Africa, from the Sassandra in Ivory Coast to Kribi in Cameroon, and in the Niger, Volta and Chad basins. It has been recorded i…
Habitat
It is found in a variety of habitats including coastal lagoons, rivers, lakes and swamps. It usually hunts amongst marginal vegetation, but in areas where the …
Aquarium size
180 ∗ 60 ∗ 60 cm - ~648 litres. Although the maximum recorded size is unlikely to be attained, this fish will still grow very large in the aquarium and it may …
Maintenance
Virtually all fish imported are juvenile and these require plenty of cover. Use pieces of driftwood and smooth rocks, along with some areas of dense planting. …
Water conditions
Temperature: 25 – 28 °C pH: 6.0-7.5 Hardness: 8-18°H
Diet
It is a piscivore in nature but most aquarium specimens can be weaned onto dead foods. Offer meaty fare such as prawns, earthworms, cockle, mussel, lancefish e…
Behaviour and compatibility
It is usually ok with fish too large to be considered food, although it should not be combined with any aggressive species such as territorial cichlids. It can…
Sexual dimorphism
Unknown.
Reproduction
Has not been achieved in aquaria but may be possible in a truly enormous tank. It is a bubblenester in nature and is sexually mature from around 6". Prior to s…
Notes
A popular game fish in its native range, H. odoe superficially resembles our native European Pike. It is an ambush predator with a fearsome set of teeth, and s…
References
References
No references