HomeFreshwater aquarium fishTetras & characinsStriped pike-characin Striped pike-characin (Boulengerella lateristriga) Scientific name: Boulengerella lateristriga Boulenger, 1895 The Striped pike-characin (Boulengerella lateristriga) is a freshwater fish of the family Ctenoluciidae that grows to about 40 cm (16 in). It is difficult to keep and aggressive and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 23–27°C (73–81°F) and a pH of 5.2–6.8. Native range: South America, Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil and southern portions of the upper R?o Orinoco in Venezuela. Striped pike-characin care at a glanceCare levelDifficultTemperamentAggressiveAdult size40 cm (16 in)Minimum tank210 L (55 US gal)Temperature23–27°C (73–81°F)pH5.2–6.8DietCarnivore. Accepts live foods. BiologyDorsal spines: 0; Dorsal soft rays: 10-11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 48 - 49. The location of the dorsal-fin base largely posterior of the vertical through the anal fin origin distinguishes this species from all congeners except B. maculata, from which it differs in possessing a narrow, dark, horizontal stripe extending from the rear of the orbit of the caudal peduncle, the presence of distinct, dark cross-bars on the lobes of the caudal fin, and absence of dark spots about the size of the pupil on the body.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameBoulengerella lateristrigaFamilyCtenoluciidae (Pike-characids)OrderCharaciformes (Characins)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length25.8EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 5.2 - 6.8; dH range: ? - 10 pelagicClimateTropicalDistributionSouth America: Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil and southern portions of the upper R?o Orinoco in Venezuela.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: public aquariums More tetras & characinsGlass bloodfinPrionobrama filigeraBlack morpho tetraPoecilocharax weitzmaniGreen neon tetraParacheirodon simulansGlass tetraMoenkhausia oligolepisRoyal tetraInpaichthys kerriRosy tetraHyphessobrycon rosaceusSee all tetras & characins SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026