Edit Luciocephalus pulcher
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Name
Scientific name
Luciocephalus pulcher
Described by
Not recorded
Family
Osphronemidae
Common names
Giant Pikehead
Photograph credits
All 1 credited
Summary
The giant pikehead, Luciocephalus pulcher, is a predatory anabantoid from blackwater peat swamps in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brune…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
200mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water
Water
Water conditions
22–26°C
Hardness
0–10dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Parts of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.
Habitat
Inhabits peat swamps and other forested, often stagnant, black water habitats. These ancient biotopes contain water that is typically stained dark brown with h…
Aquarium size
120 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm - ~108 litres should be the minimum tank size considered.
Maintenance
This ambush predator will often be seen hovering motionless in the mid to upper water levels, and is happiest when maintained in a tank shaded by patches of fl…
Water conditions
Temperature: 22 – 26 °C pH: Acidic water is a prerequisite when keeping this species. In its natural waters it has been collected in water with a pH of just ov…
Diet
Highly piscivorous and notoriously difficult to wean off live foods, L. pulcher is a perfectly-adapted niche predator. It possesses one of the most protrusible…
Behaviour and compatibility
Although there are a few reports of successfully co-habiting this pikehead with similarly-sized fish that enjoy the same water conditions, it really is best ke…
Sexual dimorphism
Unknown.
Reproduction
It's a paternal mouthbrooder that has been bred successfully in aquaria, although little data is available. The male holds the eggs in his mouth for around 30 …
Notes
With a reputation as a difficult species to maintain in captivity, L. pulcher is recommended only to those enthusiasts able to provide the specialist diet and …
References
References
No references