Endlicher's pike - Polypterus endlicheri - 4cm

With over 60 centimeters Endler's pilefish from Africa reaches quite a stately size and is therefore a very imposing aquarium fish. Polypterus endlecheri, as it is also called scientifically, is mainly found in waters around Lake Chad, in Niger, but also in tropical lakes and rivers. It belongs, among others, to the bony fishes, to which sturgeons also belong. Its prehistoric appearance, but also its interesting physiology makes it an extremely interesting aquarium inhabitant, which captivates every observer.

You will receive our animals in a size of 4 centimeters.

Endlichers lobe-finned pike has a spindle-shaped body with very hard scales. These ganoid sc ales consist of three different layers. In the basic color it is gray to green, but in places also brown-yellow, whereby the belly is bright. Transverse bands decorate the elongated body. Its dorsal fin is divided into individual small spiny fins and extends over the entire body. The caudal fin is round. There are very small eyes on the flattened head with the lower jaw extended forward. The head is speckled black. On its pelvic fins it can support and erect itself when necessary. Speckled pike must regularly take in atmospheric oxygen at the surface because the function of their gills is limited. Unlike other fish, their swim bladder also serves as a lung. They also have a splash hole. Therefore, their aquarium should be structured so that they can visit the water surface for gas exchange to avoid drowning. Accordingly, they can temporarily survive out of the water if the environment is humid enough. Mainly after switching off the aquarium lighting, Endlechers linnet becomes active, during the day it stays mainly hidden.

Since Endlecher's Pike migrate during spawning season in late summer, reproduction in the aquarium is rather impossible, but has already occurred. The females lay their spawn in aquatic plants, which can be transferred from there to a rearing aquarium, the young hatch after about half a week. The literature describes a spawning migration to marshy and silted floodplains. Juveniles of the Endlecher's Pintail Pike exhibit feathered external gills typically found on amphibians or African lungfish, but these fuse with age.

The aquarium for Endlecher's Speckled Pike should be at least 2.5 meters long and have a volume of 500 liters or more, as well as be very well covered.  Even though it will probably not reach the gigantic dimensions in the aquarium as it does in the wild, it also needs enough space to swim and hide. Therefore, the aquarium should be well structured for the White-tailed Pike. Roots and caves are suitable for this, but also stone structures and tubes that are secured against falling over, as well as robust planting, for example with Anubias. Basically Polypterus endlecheri prefers a good water hygiene, therefore it should be treated with a sufficiently dimensioned filter. Otherwise it is tolerant to further water values and can be maintained without problems at a pH-value of 6,5-8 as well as temperatures between 26-28°C.

Although an artaqurium would be recommended for Endlecher's Pileated Pike, it can also be socialized with other larger ornamental fish that come from similar parameters. For this purpose, however, the aquarium should have a good infrastructure with sufficient retreat possibilities. As a crepuscular lurker this predator should rather not be socialized with invertebrates, as these will be on its menu sooner or later.

As a carnivore, Endlecher's pike can be easily fed with larger live and frozen foods. This includes mosquito larvae, but also shrimp, mussel meat, smaller fish and fish fillets, which should be rinsed very well before feeding. With a little dedication and patience, he can also be accustomed to feeding from tweezers.

Our food recommendation: NatureHolic Cichfeed is a great staple food for all carnivorous cichlids in the aquarium, which perfectly meets their demands for food composition. The tasty pearls are eaten very well even by larger cichlids. Thanks to their soft texture, NatureHolic Cichfeed food pearls are gentle on the mouth and can be eaten very well by the fish.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.

Picture: Enrico Richter - exclusively for Garnelio