Bay Snook

Petenia splendida is the sole member of its genus and is found in lakes and slow rivers of the Usumacinta and Grijalva drainages, as well as Lake Izabal in Guatemala. Its most remarkable feature is an extremely protractile jaw that extends rapidly to engulf prey. Colouration varies — some individuals are brilliant orange-red while others are silvery-white. This is exclusively a predatory species and one of the most sought-after large cichlids by serious collectors.

Water: 24–30°C, pH 7.0–8.0, moderate hardness (GH 8–20). Tank: 750L+ for adults; minimal decor; powerful filtration essential for this messy predator. Feeding: Carnivore; large cichlid pellets, whole fish, large prawns, and earthworms; feed 2–3x weekly. Behaviour: Aggressive piscivore; will eat anything it can swallow; less territorial than Parachromis. Compatibility: Species-only or with comparably sized robust cichlids that cannot be swallowed.