how good of oxygenation do atabapo pikes need?

[djsaltynuts]

so from the caresheets i read they need extremely clean and well oxygenated water because they come from fast flowing waters in the wild( i didnt completely buy this at first because most cichlids can do pretty well in oxygen starved environments but he does seem to be breathing kinda heavy the whole time ive had him). i run two hob filters on my tank but my tidal 75 stopped working so im left with one and i wanted to know if i needed to add an airpump for additional water flow until i get the other filter fixed. i also have a phytoplankton bloom so my oxygen levels must get pretty low at night but i have been leaving the moon light on to prevent the oxygen from getting completely depleted.

 

[djsaltynuts]

also how long do i have until its 12”+ ? a year or so?

 

[Potato Patatto]

If you want good flow I’d get a jebao sine cross flow, I have a 120 and it’s ridiculously powerful in a 125. It sucks water up from the bottom and blows it to the top creating a very strong current at the bottom. Can also add a spongefilter for more oxygen.

 

[Rocksor]

Pikes like the Atabapo do best in at least 1000+ gph full tank flow during the day to keep them fit and not get fat. In extreme cases you will see pikes that look like they have a bent back due to the flow being to low and being fed too much.

For oxygen, they need rippling throughout the surface, I have 3 canisters doing that for me in an 8 foot tank.

It will take roughly 2-3 years from 6" total length to get to 12+". It depends if it is a male/female and whether or not your GH reading is hard or soft. They tend to take longer to reach 12" with hard water (GH) an extra 2-3 years. Also, it's only a matter of time before they end up with HITH in hard water.

 

[djsaltynuts]

okay so the more water movement the better i think ill just get a really powerful airpump for now. will a spong filter add more water flow than a large airstone because it has a lift tube?

 

[djsaltynuts]

my water is 7.2 ph without any altering

 

[Rocksor]

okay so the more water movement the better i think ill just get a really powerful airpump for now. will a spong filter add more water flow than a large airstone because it has a lift tube?

Either one will increase your oxygen using the same air pump, but not more current flow (water movement) throughout the tank.

Your PH is decent.

 

[djsaltynuts]

Either one will increase your oxygen using the same air pump, but not more current flow (water movement) throughout the tank.

Your PH is decent.

do you think its worth changing? i add peat to some of my geo tank filters because theyre wild caught but i just kinda figured the pike was bred in captivity.

 

[duanes]

I agree with the others, more flow is needed.
Areas in the Rio Atabapo where rheophillic species are found have very strong currents providing highly oxygenated, low pH water.
For rheophillic species I keep I use a sump with a pump of over 1000 gph recycling, and add some type of powerhead with either a venturi tube, or to aim flow toward the surface to aid in oxygenation.
This is the flow from my sump , hitting the tanks surface..

Below a powerhead below the surface, rated about 800gph

below influent with venturi action

 

[Potato Patatto]

Pikes like the Atabapo do best in at least 1000+ gph full tank flow during the day to keep them fit and not get fat. In extreme cases you will see pikes that look like they have a bent back due to the flow being to low and being fed too much.

That is very good to know.. will keep my flow up then, usually leave it on during the day and off at night. I’ve seen several Zebrinas with bent backs I did not know that was the cause..