African Odoe Pike (6”)

Scientific Name:

Hepsetus odoe

Maximum Size and Lifespan:

• Size: Up to 16-18 inches (45 cm)

• Lifespan: Around 8–12+ years with proper care

Recommended Aquarium Size:

• Minimum Tank Size: 125-180 gallons (475 liters) for a single specimen. Juveniles can be raised in 40-90 gallon tank for better observation

• Larger aquariums (180+ gallons) recommended if housing with other large fish or more than one individual

Water Changes and General Care:

• Water Temperature: 74–82°F (23–28°C)

• pH Range: 6.0–7.5

• Water Change Schedule:

  • 30–50% weekly to maintain water quality

• Filtration: Strong, efficient filtration is essential due to their messy eating habits and size

• Decor:

  • Add some structured driftwood and rocks leaving plenty of swimming space. They're open water swimmers

   

• Tank Cover: Tight-fitting lid is a must – strong jumpers

Tankmates:

• • Large, robust, semi-aggressive fish that are too big to be eaten.

  • Large Ppolypterus, Datnoids, Silver Dollars, Severums, African Arowana, Large Catfish.

• Avoid:

  • Small fish (will be eaten)

  • Aggressive cichlids that may provoke or stress the Odoe

  • Elongated fish shaped like the pike. They may view them as competition and fight

Diet:

• Carnivorous – ambush predator

• Primary Foods:

  • Fresh/frozen foods: tilapia chunks, shrimp, silversides, and smelt

  • They will accept carnivore pellets or sticks with time

   

• Feed 4-5 times per week to prevent overfeeding and fouling

Overview of Natural Environment:

• Distribution: Widely found across West and Central Africa, including the Congo, Niger, and Zambezi River systems

• Habitat:

  • Slow-moving, heavily vegetated rivers, swamps, and floodplains

  • Often found in blackwater environments

  • Likes low visibility for ambush hunting

Breeding:

• Rare in captivity; no well-documented cases of successful spawning in home aquaria

• In the wild:

  • Likely breeds during the rainy season

  • Builds bubble nests or uses floating vegetation

  • Spawns in flooded grassy or shallow areas

• Captive Challenges:

  • Large size, aggression, and unknown hormonal triggers make breeding impractical in home setups

Summary:

The African Odoe Pike (Hepsetus odoe) is a striking, streamlined predator that’s best suited for advanced aquarists with large tanks. Its aggressive predatory behavior, sensitivity to water conditions, and specialized diet make it a challenging but rewarding fish to keep. In the wild, it thrives in slow, murky African rivers, hunting smaller fish from cover. Due to its solitary and territorial nature, careful consideration is needed when choosing tankmates. Breeding in captivity remains elusive, making wild populations the main source for the trade.