One of the most popular Pike Cichlids in the aquarium hobby, the Striped Pike Cichlid is named for the dark lateral stripe running along its body from its nose through the caudal fin. Many specimens also exhibit a dark spot centered on the stripe at the base of the caudal fin. The overall body coloration of this species may vary but possible colors include green, brown and red. Females of the species tend to develop red coloration on their bellies when they are ready to spawn. The Striped Pike Cichlid is native to the lower Amazon River basin and can be found in parts of Guyana and Brazil. These fish tend to inhabit streams and tributaries rather than the river itself.