Regani dwarf pike cichlid
Wallaciia regani
Regan's dwarf pike cichlid features a slender body with vibrant blue and orange coloration, accentuated by dark vertical bars.
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About the Regani dwarf pike cichlid
A tiny, pike-shaped cichlid from the Amazon, W. regani hangs around leaf litter and roots and tops out near 3 inches. Females show a neat eyespot in the dorsal, and pairs spawn in caves with devoted guarding. It is mellow for a pike cichlid but anything bite-size is food.
Also known as
Quick Facts
Size
7.9 cm SL
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Difficulty
Advanced
Min Tank Size
32 gallons
Lifespan
3-4 years
Origin
South America
Diet
Carnivore - live and frozen invertebrates, meaty prepared foods if accepted
Water Parameters
24-27°C
5.5-7.2
3-10 dGH
Need a heater for this species?
This species needs 24-27°C in a 32 gallon tank. Use our heater calculator to find the right wattage.
Calculate heater sizeCare Notes
- Give it a 32 gallon or larger tank with a long footprint, stacked roots/branches, tight caves, and a layer of leaf litter to mimic its Amazon hideouts and break sightlines.
- Hold water at 24-27 C, pH 5.5-7.2, and 3-10 dGH; keep conditions steady rather than chasing tiny tweaks.
- Feed small live and frozen invertebrates like bloodworms, daphnia, brine or mysis shrimp, and try quality meaty prepared foods only if it accepts them; skip feeder fish.
- It is mellow for a pike cichlid but anything bite-size is food, so choose robust tankmates too large to swallow and avoid shrimp and tiny tetras.
- Territoriality centers on caves, especially at breeding time, so provide multiple snug shelters and broken sightlines to manage spats.
- Pairs spawn in caves and guard eggs and fry; to raise a brood, dedicate the tank or remove other fish, and note that females show a neat dorsal eyespot when courting.
- Expect about 3-4 years of life; this is an advanced fish that rewards consistent care within the stated ranges and lots of cover to feel secure.
Compatibility
Good Tankmates
- Medium, deep-bodied South American tetras (adult 5-7 cm) that are fast and not known for nipping; choose species too big to be swallowed
- Surface-dwelling hatchetfish (adult 6-7 cm) as dithers; tight lid required and keep them in a group
- Armored loricariid catfish like bristlenose and small Peckoltia/Rineloricaria; peaceful bottom helpers that ignore the pikes
- Larger Corydoras species (sterbai/aeneus size) in a group on sand; generally ignored but may be chased when the pikes spawn
- Calm, mid-to-upper water characins that reach at least 5 cm and are not fin-nippy, to act as dithers without fitting in the pikes' mouths
Avoid
- Very small fish that fit in the mouth (neons/embers, small rasboras, killifish, guppy fry) - seen as food
- Shrimp and tiny invertebrates (including ornamental dwarf shrimp and small snails)
- Other territorial cichlids competing for the bottom (Apistogramma, rams, additional pike cichlids) in modest tanks; keep only a single bonded pair of pikes
- Nippy or slow long-finned fish (tiger barbs, nippy tetras, fancy guppies, gouramis, angelfish) that will harass or be harassed
The Regani dwarf pike cichlid (Wallaciia regani) is a small, pike-shaped South American cichlid from Amazon leaf litter and root tangles. It tops out around 7.9 cm SL, lives 3-4 years, and is semi-aggressive by cichlid standards. Females show a distinct eyespot in the dorsal fin. It is relatively mellow for a pike cichlid, but anything bite-size is food.
Origin and habitat
South America, within the Amazon basin. W. regani keeps close to structure, hanging around leaf litter, roots, and tight cover. Water in these areas is typically soft and mildly acidic.
Aquarium setup and water
A single or pair needs at least a 32-gallon tank. Give this fish security: wood roots, dense cover, and snug caves. Leaf litter and shaded areas help it feel at home and reduce skittishness. Break up lines of sight so the fish can hold a small territory without constant confrontations.
Target these conditions: 24-27 C, pH 5.5-7.2, and 3-10 dGH. Keep the water clean and stable. Movement can be gentle to moderate; avoid blasting them in bare, brightly lit tanks.
Provide multiple small, tight caves. This species naturally uses confined spaces and will use them for shelter and spawning.
Diet and feeding
Carnivorous. Offer live and frozen invertebrates (such as insect larvae and small crustaceans). Many individuals will accept meaty prepared foods, but not all do; be ready to rely on frozen and live fare. Vary the items to keep condition up and avoid overfeeding rich, fatty foods.
Behavior and tankmates
Semi-aggressive and territorial around its chosen hide, especially in close quarters or during breeding. It is comparatively mellow for a pike cichlid, but it is still a predator.
Anything bite-size is viewed as prey. Choose tankmates that are too large to swallow and that will not harass a cave-dwelling cichlid.
Keep either a single fish or a compatible pair in a well-structured tank. Avoid similar-shaped, territorial fishes in cramped quarters. Good cover and broken sightlines reduce flare-ups.
Breeding
Documented as a cave spawner. Pairs lay eggs in a cave and guard them closely; parental care continues with the fry. Provide several tight caves to let a pair choose a site. Soft, mildly acidic water within the ranges above and a quiet, covered tank help them settle and spawn. Remove or avoid other fish during breeding, as the pair will become more territorial and small tankmates risk being eaten.
Common problems and how to avoid them
- Predation on small fish: do not mix with bite-size tankmates.
- Food refusal of dry pellets: keep a steady supply of live and frozen invertebrates; offer prepared foods only if accepted.
- Stress in open, bright tanks: use leaf litter, wood roots, and caves to provide cover and break sightlines.
- Water mismatch: keep within 24-27 C, pH 5.5-7.2, and 3-10 dGH, and avoid rapid swings.
Females show a clear eyespot in the dorsal fin, which helps with sexing mature fish.
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