Crenicichla or Pike cichlids as their name implies, are mostly predatory, consuming small fish for prey. There are a few exceptions, as usual, such as Crenicichla compressiceps and C. cyclostoma from the rapids of Eastern Brazil that are specialized insect eaters. Most Pike cichlids have an elongated body and a wide, protrusible mouth - features common to many predatory fish. Most Pike cichlids have an elongated body and a wide, protrusible mouth - features common to many predatory fish. There are some sedentary Pikes such as C. jegui that spend most of their time waiting for prey to swim by, at which time they lunge and grab the hapless fish.
Predatory fish vary in their level of activity.
To compare with saltwater fish, Pikes are somewhere between Rockfish and Barracuda in style and activity. Most Pikes position themselves near sunken tree stems, rocks and substrate, giving a quick, short but spirited chase to catch prey. Keeping Pikes in aquaria requires that you remember this fact. Pikes come in many sizes. There are manwy dwarf Pikes that don't grow longer than 3-4 inches.