A fairly popular species in the aquarium trade, the Red-Finned Pike Cichlid is widely distributed throughout South America. These fish can be found in various river basins including the Rio Essequibo in Guyana, the Rio Amapa in Brazil and the Rio Orinoco in Colombia. This species tends to inhabit quickly moving rivers and streams but has been found in a variety of habitats. The coloration of these fish varies according to the locality, but most specimens exhibit a dark lateral band accompanied by a red band running parallel above it. Males of the species also usually exhibit red coloration on the fins – hence the name Red-Finned Pike Cichlid.