African Pike

About

The African pike (Hepsetus odoe) is the sole member of its genus and cuts an unmistakable profile. A long, muscular body, a broad jaw packed with sharp teeth, and the general silhouette of a fish that has been hunting for a very long time. It ranges across a wide band of central and western Africa, from the rivers of Ivory Coast eastward to the Central African Republic, and tends to favor smaller waterways and upper river stretches. In the wild it is a classic ambush predator, hanging motionless in shadowy cover until prey drifts within range, then launching forward with almost alarming speed. That explosive strike is worth keeping in mind during tank maintenance. This fish can and will bite, and should be treated with respect when you have your hands in the water. Despite a listed care level of beginner, the sheer size this fish reaches and its requirement for a very large aquarium make it a specialist's animal in practice. It can coexist with fish too large to swallow, Polypterus, big Synodontis catfish, similarly sized characins and barbs all tend to work, but it should never be housed with aggressive or territorial tankmates. Groups are possible only if all individuals are closely matched in size, as smaller fish tend to get bullied relentlessly. Breeding in captivity has not been documented, though its bubble-nesting behavior in the wild is genuinely fascinating.