Crenicichla is a genus of cichlids native to South America commonly known as the pike cichlids. They are found in most tropical and subtropical freshwater habitats between the Andes and the Atlantic. Description The smallest species of Crenicichla (notably members of the C. wallacii species group) are no larger than , and technically qualify as "dwarf cichlids" for the aquarium hobby – though their aggressive and voracious habits should let prospective keepers beware. The biggest pike cichlids can grow to about long. Most Crenicichla measure in the range of . Like many other predatory fishes, a pike cichlid has a wide mouth and elongated body. Distribution and ecology The genus Crenicichla is native to freshwater in tropical and subtropical South America east of the Andes, ranging from Trinidad and the Guiana Shield (including Orinoco), through the Amazon and Río de la Plata Basins, south as far as Río Negro in Argentina. Although widespread as a group, the individual species are often restricted to a single river or river basin. They are found in a wide range of habitats, including rivers, streams, pools and lakes; some species are rheophilic. The vast majority of pike cichlids are predatory and feed on fish, insects, and other small animals. They usually place themselves where they can stay undetected by the prey, like close to a sunken tree stem or behind a rock. This behavior, as well as the correspondingly adapted shape, which resembles that the unrelated pikes (Esocidae) of the Holarctic, gives the pike cichlids their common name. An exception is C. tapii, which is similar in general appearance to other pike cichlids, but unusual for being gregarious and feeding on periphyton. Species There are currently around 93 recognized species in this genus: Crenicichla acutirostris Günther, 1862 Crenicichla adspersa Heckel, 1840 Crenicichla albopunctata Pellegrin, 1904 Crenicichla alta C. H. Eigenmann, 1912 Crenicichla anamiri P. M. M. Ito & Rapp Py-Daniel, 2015 Crenicichla anthurus Cope, 1872 Crenicichla brasiliensis (Bloch, 1792) Crenicichla britskii S. O. Kullander, 1982 Crenicichla cametana Steindachner, 1911 Crenicichla celidochilus Casciotta, 1987 Crenicichla chicha H. R. Varella, S. O. Kullander & F. C. T. Lima, 2012 Crenicichla cincta Regan, 1905 Crenicichla compressiceps Ploeg, 1986 Crenicichla coppenamensis Ploeg, 1987 Crenicichla cyanonotus Cope, 1870 Crenicichla cyclostoma Ploeg, 1986 Crenicichla empheres C. A. S. de Lucena, 2007 Crenicichla frenata T. N. Gill, 1858 Crenicichla gaucho C. A. S. de Lucena & S. O. Kullander, 1992 Crenicichla