African Pike

The African Pike resembles the European pike but has a taller, more robust body and a less elongated mouth. Adults can reach impressive sizes of up to 70 cm, though in a home aquarium they grow much more slowly.

As its name suggests, this species is native to Africa. It is widespread across the continent in lagoons, rivers, lakes and swamps. It prefers slow-flowing water and stays in shallow areas with dense vegetation and plenty of hiding places.

This species is not suitable for a community tank. African Pikes are kept either alone or in small groups. They may be housed with large catfish or polypterids of similar size. Any smaller fish will be seen as food.

Even if the pike does not reach its maximum size in the aquarium, a single fish needs a minimum tank volume of 680 litres. Use driftwood, smooth stones and large aquatic plants to create shoreline areas with various refuges, while leaving most of the space open. A tight-fitting lid or cover glass is essential to prevent the fish from jumping, especially during hunting. Setting up such a tank usually involves specialists in equipment installation, so this article will not detail filtration systems and other technical aspects. Optimal conditions are weak water flow, moderate lighting, a temperature of 25–28°C, slightly acidic pH, and low to moderate hardness.

This is a true ambush predator. Since most African Pikes come from the wild, their diet should include live fish. Guppies are often used as food because they breed readily. Over time, the pike can be trained to eat meat products: pieces of shrimp, earthworms, mussels, and fresh or frozen fish.

In a home aquarium this species does not usually breed. Young African Pikes are typically imported from the wild or from specialized fish farms. In natural waters, they reach maturity at about 15 cm. During spawning, the male builds a nest among plants and guards it jealously. The female uses special glands to attach her eggs to the nest base. After the fry hatch, the parents abandon them. The fry stay in the nest for a few days, then become independent. They continue to use a sticky substance left after spawning to attach themselves to plants, which provides shelter and saves energy.

The African Pike has a robust immune system, but when husbandry conditions deteriorate—especially with poor filtration and accumulating waste—it becomes susceptible to bacterial infections. Signs of disease include ulcers on the body, fin damage, reddened skin and clouded mucous membranes. Prevention requires maintaining high water quality with strong biological and mechanical filtration and regular water changes. The fish is very sensitive to water conditions, so any deviation from the parameters can cause stress and disease.

When choosing an African Pike, look for an active fish with clean skin. A healthy specimen should be mobile, with no visible damage, ulcers, spots or signs of emaciation. Check for difficulty breathing or lethargy. Since this is a predator, shop specimens are often kept alone or with similar-sized neighbours; aggression toward other fish is natural behaviour. Ask the seller what the fish has been fed, as wild-caught individuals may take time to switch to non-live food.