Lugubria percna

A very rarely imported Pike Cichlid from Brazil’s Rio Xingu, Lugubria percna was only described scientifically in 1991 and little remains known of its habits or distribution in the wild. Like most other species found in this warm, fast-moving, clear water river, they are well adapted for life in the rocky rapids and will do best with strong current and plenty of rockwork or caves in the aquarium. With their distinctive protruding lower jaw and lightning fast reflexes, this species is likely an ambush predator in the wild, hiding out among the rocks to await smaller fish swimming above them in open water to prey on. In the aquarium, they require warm (82F+) well-oxygenated water and should receive regular large water changes to ensure optimal water quality. Ideal tankmates would include many of the medium to large pleco species found in the same river or some of the medium growing Myleus, Metynnis, or Leporinus species also at home in fast-moving waters.