Pike livebearer

Introduction

The Pike livebearer (Belonesox belizanus), also known as the Pike topminnow, is a unique and intriguing species among livebearing fish. Its elongated body and pronounced snout give it a striking resemblance to the predatory pike fish, making it a fascinating addition for aquarists seeking something different. However, due to its predatory nature and specific care requirements, the Pike livebearer is best suited for experienced fishkeepers prepared to meet its needs.

What makes the Pike livebearer stand out among other livebearing fish?

Unlike typical livebearers like guppies or mollies, the Pike livebearer exhibits a pronounced predatory behavior and has a distinctive elongated body with a flat-back profile, setting it apart in both appearance and temperament.

Is the Pike livebearer suitable for beginner aquarists?

Due to its aggressive nature and specific care requirements, the Pike livebearer is more appropriate for experienced aquarists who can provide the necessary environment and diet.

Care and Environment

Proper care for the Pike livebearer involves replicating its natural habitat and addressing its predatory instincts. A minimum tank size of 170 liters is recommended for a single fish, with larger tanks of at least 200 liters being ideal for groups. The aquarium should be heavily planted, providing ample hiding spots and a sense of security. Floating plants can help diffuse lighting and reduce stress.

Water parameters are crucial for the health of the Pike livebearer. Maintain a temperature between 25°C and 30°C, a pH range of 7.0 to 8.2, and water hardness between 10 to 25 dGH. While they can tolerate brackish conditions, it's essential to ensure that any salt additions are compatible with other tank inhabitants.

Filtration should be robust to handle the bioload, but care must be taken to minimize strong currents, as Pike livebearers prefer still or slow-moving waters. Moderate lighting is sufficient, especially when combined with floating plants to create shaded areas.

Feeding the Pike livebearer can be challenging due to its carnivorous nature. In the wild, they primarily consume smaller fish, insects, and crustaceans. In captivity, they may initially require live foods such as earthworms, live shrimp, or feeder fish. Over time, they can be trained to accept frozen foods like Mysis shrimp, krill, and pieces of fish or shellfish. It's important to avoid feeding them live fish from pet stores to prevent disease transmission; instead, consider raising your own feeder fish if necessary.

One specific challenge with Pike livebearers is their aggressive behavior, especially during breeding. They may exhibit heightened aggression towards tank mates, making it essential to monitor interactions and provide ample space and hiding spots to reduce stress.

What is the ideal tank setup for a Pike livebearer?

A heavily planted tank of at least 170 liters, with floating plants to provide cover and reduce stress, is ideal. Ensure stable water parameters and minimal current to mimic their natural environment.

How can I transition a Pike livebearer from live to frozen foods?

Start by offering live foods they readily accept, then gradually introduce frozen alternatives by mixing them with live foods. Over time, they can be trained to accept frozen foods exclusively.

Origin and Habitat

The Pike livebearer is native to the Atlantic slope drainages of Veracruz, Mexico, extending east through the Yucatán Peninsula, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica. They inhabit slow-flowing rivers, ponds, lakes, and marshes, often preferring areas with abundant aquatic vegetation. These environments typically have warm surface waters and can range from freshwater to brackish conditions, with some populations tolerating salinity levels as high as 40 ppt.

Where can Pike livebearers be found in the wild?

They are native to regions in Central America, including parts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

What type of environments do Pike livebearers prefer?

They favor slow-moving or still waters with abundant vegetation, such as rivers, ponds, lakes, and marshes, and can tolerate both freshwater and brackish conditions.

Temperament and Compatibility

Pike livebearers are highly predatory and can exhibit aggressive behavior, especially towards smaller or similarly shaped fish. They are not shoaling fish and are best kept either singly or in carefully managed groups to prevent aggression. Suitable tank mates include larger, robust species that can coexist without being seen as prey, such as larger cichlids or similarly sized livebearers. It's crucial to avoid housing them with smaller fish, as they are likely to be hunted and consumed.

Can Pike livebearers be kept with other fish?

Yes, but only with larger, robust species that are not seen as prey. Smaller fish are at risk of being eaten due to the Pike livebearer's predatory nature.

Do Pike livebearers need to be kept in groups?

No, they are not shoaling fish and can be kept singly. If kept in groups, careful management is required to prevent aggression.

Interesting Facts

The Pike livebearer is unique among livebearing fish due to its specialized predatory behavior and physical adaptations. Its elongated snout and flexible upper jaw allow it to consume prey items nearly half its own size. Unlike many livebearers, Pike livebearers can give birth to exceptionally large broods, with some reports of up to 322 fry in a single birthing event. The fry are relatively large at birth, measuring up to an inch, and exhibit cannibalistic tendencies if not adequately fed or separated by size.

How large can a Pike livebearer's brood be?

They can give birth to broods ranging from around 100 to over 300 fry, depending on the size and condition of the female.

What adaptations make the Pike livebearer an effective predator?

Its elongated snout and flexible upper jaw enable it to consume large prey items, and its aggressive nature ensures successful hunting.

Sources

All information in this article has been gathered from the following reputable sources:

• floridamuseum.ufl.edu
• aquaticcommunity.com
• diszhal.info