Pikehead (Luciocephalus pulcher)

Scientific name: Luciocephalus pulcher Gray, 1830

The Pikehead (Luciocephalus pulcher) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–26°C (72–79°F). Native range: Asia, Peninsular Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia and Singapore.

Pikehead care at a glance

Temperature: 22–26°C (72–79°F)

Biology

Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 0 - 1; Anal soft rays: 19 - 21; Vertebrae: 38 - 40. Distinguished from Luciocephalus aura in the following characters: absence of numerous iridescent green spots on central stripe when live (vs. presence); presence of black irregular pattern on area below preorbital to central stripe (vs. absence); area just above anal-fin base with 3-4 dark brown blotches, which appear circular when body is viewed ventrally (vs. absence of such markings); yellowish caudal fin with 3-5 broad vertical black bars (vs. brownish caudal fin with 3-7 narrow iridescent vertical gold bars); presence of markings on anal and pelvic (vs. absence); shorter caudal-fin length (total length 120.0-125.6% SL vs. 123.7-127.1); shorter postdorsal length (10.4-12.4% SL vs. 12.0-13.2); greater head length (44.1-48.6% SL vs. 43.3-45.9); smaller caudal peduncle depth (8.9-10.6% SL vs 10.7-11.2); and relatively shorter anal-fin base length (19.3-23.4% SL vs. 23.6-24.5)

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Luciocephalus pulcher
Family: Osphronemidae (Gouramies)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 20.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 15 benthopelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: Peninsular Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia and Singapore.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)