Crenicichla is the name of a genus in the cichlid family and the members of this genus are often referred to as Pike cichlids. Some of the pike cichlids can grow up the 24 inches in length, but the average size for the entire genus is around 10 inches. The dwarf pike cichlids will stay much smaller than this – normally less than 4 inches – and they are therefore popular in the tropical fish aquarium. Before you decide to get dwarf pike cichlids it is however important to make sure that you know how to care for them properly. To begin with, dwarf cichlids are more sensitive to poor water conditions than their larger relatives and you should be prepared to carry out frequent water changes to keep the levels of soluble waste down. Strong filtration is also recommended, and you should ideally use a combination of mechanical and biological filtration to be on the safe side. (Biological filtration can however be hampered by the low pH-value that these fishes like.) The water should be warm, soft and acidic. For most species, the ideal water temperature is around 80 degrees F. An aquarium with plenty of hiding places is best, since this will reduce stress. The Crenicichla cichlids have gotten a fairly bad reputation, but the truth is that most dwarf pike cichlids will leave live plants alone in the aquarium.