{"product_id":"lenticulata-pike-cichlid-crenicichla-lenticulata-copy","title":"Peppermint Pikehead ( Luciocephalus aura )","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eA Few Key Facts About Luciocephalus aura\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSpecies Overview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eLuciocephalus aura, also referred to as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003egreen‑spotted pikehead\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003epeppermint pikehead\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e, is a freshwater ray‑finned labyrinth fish endemic to Sumatra. It belongs to the gourami family (Osphronemidae) and is distinguished by a line of bright green spots along its flanks\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s4\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eHabitat \u0026amp; Conservation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eThis species inhabits forested swamp and blackwater environments in the Batang Hari and Musi river basins of Sumatra, preferring soft, acidic (tannin‑rich) waters\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e. It is currently classified as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eEndangered (EN)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e on the IUCN Red List\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSize \u0026amp; Behavior\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eReaching around 10.5–12 cm in length, L. aura is a stealthy ambush predator. It hovers motionless among submerged vegetation or driftwood, striking quickly with protrusible jaws to seize shrimp and small fish\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ePhysiology \u0026amp; Reproduction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eA facultative air-breather, L. aura can gulp atmospheric oxygen when needed . Reproductively, it is a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003epaternal mouthbrooder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e, with males carrying eggs or fry in their mouths until they are ready to survive on their own .\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAquarium Care (Advanced Level Only)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eDue to its specialized care needs, L. aura is not typically recommended for beginners. In captivity, it thrives in species-only, mature setups that replicate its natural habitat—soft, acidic water (pH 4.5–6.5), gentle currents, low lighting, dark substrates, dense plants, floating vegetation, and peat or driftwood to mimic tannin-stained water. It requires live or frozen foods and should be kept in small, similarly sized groups to minimize territorial conflicts .\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"monsteraquariumonline","offers":[{"title":"5-6”","offer_id":42705245438161,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0615\/9135\/5601\/files\/BC64C462-B821-49FC-A112-61AD09C1A616.jpg?v=1756158020","url":"https:\/\/www.monsteraquariumonline.com\/zh\/products\/lenticulata-pike-cichlid-crenicichla-lenticulata-copy","provider":"monsteraquariumonline","version":"1.0","type":"link"}