GREEN BAY SNOOK (Petenia splendida)

If you like big Central American cichlids, you'll love the Bay snook, Petenia splendida, says Matt Clarke.

Common name: Bay snook

Scientific name: Petenia splendida

Origin: Central America - Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.

Habitat: Found in lakes and the lower and middle reaches of large, slow-moving rivers, usually around soft-bottomed

areas with a sandy or muddy substrate.

Size: Up to 45cm/18", and a good few kilograms in weight. Expect aquarium specimens to reach at least 30cm/12", probably larger.

Diet: Petenia feeds on fish and is equipped with an enormously large mouth. Aquarium specimens will take most meaty frozen foods, as well as pellets.

Water: Adaptable to most water conditions, but ideally pH 7.0-7.5, GH more than 15.

Aquarium: You will need an enormous tank as this is a gigantic cichlid when mature. Aim for a system of at least 180 x 45 x 45cm/6' x 18" x 18" and equip the tank with a very powerful filter. Use heavy rocks and bogwood to prevent the fish rearranging the decor too much.

Notes: The genus Petenia is monotypic, so this is the only species available. However, it does exist in at least two colour forms including a pinky-gold version.

https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/petenia-splendida-the-bay-snook-cichlid/