possible poly mates??

[IKeepPacu]

dident see anything on here saying if will polys be ok with freshwater clams or snails?? it may have been in the poly sticky, but there was jut so much good info in there, i still dont remember much after reading it several times :wall:

what about eels such as a tire-track?? and finally, im guessing pleco's would not make good mates, as they may see a sleeping poly's slime-coat as food, correct??

[moonchild1970]

I keep my polys with snails( and they love to eat them). :D
Not sure about clams.

But I've heard of others keeping them with Ropes and Eels. I think Tire tracks are ok, but not sure. Will let someone more knowledgeable answer that one.

[IKeepPacu]

i would imagine eels would be ok, since ive seen polys with loaches, but wanted d to make sure with some of the bichir-experts.

mine are also living with a 10" ropefish as well :headbang2

going to add pics of my polys tonight. finally got a camera:popcorn:

[is300zx]

a lot of it depends on the size. if it doesn't fit the mouth they'll likely leave it alone. so if you can get a tire track big enough then it'll most likely be fine. i forgot to add that the size that matters is not length but girth.

[Rockbass6]

I have a fire eel in with my senegal and clown loaches.

[beblondie]

Ya want possible tankmates HMMMM do ya,from the primer:
Tankmates
Below is a partial list of possible tankmates for the small to midsized bichirs species.Parameters I used are based on size, temperment and availabilty . And i believe is a good starting point for you to do further research before purchasing -Anne
CATFISH
Dusky Pimelodid-Pimelodus blochii
Giraffe Catfish-Auchenoglanis occidentalis
Dwarf giraffe Catfish-Parauchenoglanis macrostoma
Giant Whiptail Catfish-Sturisoma aureum
Synodontis alberti
Synodontis angelicus
Synodontis pleurops
Synodontis decorus
Synodontis eupterus
Synodontis notatus
Synodontis brichardi
Synodontis nigrita
Synodontis flavitaeniata
Synodontis soloni
Liver Catfish-Heteropneustes fossilis
Black Lancer-Bagrichthys hypselopterus
PLECOS
Bristlenose-Ancistrus dolichopterus
CHARACINS
Silver dollar-Metynnis argenteus
Distichodus notospilus-Distichodus notospilus
Congo tetra-Phenacogrammus interruptus
Black-Barred Myleus-Myleus schomburgki
Filament tetra-Bryconaethiop microstoma
EELS
Peacock Eel- Macrognathus aculeatus
CICHLIDS *(see note)
Dicus-Symphysodon discus
Angelfish-Pterophyllum ssp.
Two-Spot Cichlid-Cichlasoma bimaculatum
Tilapia joka-Tilapia joka
Oscar-Astronotus ocellatus
Severum-Cichlasoma severum
Kribensis- Pelvicachromis pulcher
Sparkling Earth Eater-Satanoperca acuticeps
Blue acara-Aequidens pulchrus
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Blood Parrot Cichlid-Hybrid no scientifc name
Blue-Eye Cichlid-Cichlasoma spilurum
Festivum-Mesonauta festivus
African Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara nyassae
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Bandit Cichlid-Aequidens geayi
Blockhead Cichlid-Steatocranus casuarius
Callolepis Cichlid-Cichlasoma callolepis
Freiberg's Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
Keyhole Cichlid-Cleithracara maronii
Port Acara-Aequidens portalegrensis
Uaru- Uaru amphicanthiodes
LABYRINTH FISHES
Ctenopoma .acutirostre-Ctenopoma acutirostre
Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus-Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus
Ctenopoma kingsleyae-Ctenopoma kingsleyae
CYPRINIDS
Variegated Shark-Labeo variegatus
Bala Shark-Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Red-Finned Cigar Shark-Leptobarbus hoevenii
Red-linned torpedo barb-Puntius denisonii
Tinfoil Barb-Barbodes schwanefeldii
Chinese Algae Eater-Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Clown Loach-Botia macracantha
MISC.
African mudfish-Phractolaemus ansorgei
Black Ghost Knifefish -Apteronotus albifrons
Elephantnose-Gnathonemus petersii
African butterfly-Pantondon bucholzi
African Knifefish-Xenomystus nigri
(*note :to avoid agression do not have breeding pairs )
Below is a list of possible tankmates for the larger bichir species.This is not a full list of compatable fish but a general idea.
Note some are on both lists.As always research before buying .Based on adult maximum sizes.
Just a note an adult lower jaw bichir is capable of opening it mouth almost the diameter of its body.
Possible tankmate for P.endilcherii , P.bichir, P.congicus and P. Bichir lapradei
CHARACINS
Silver dollar - Metynnis argenteus
African pike- Hepsetus odoe
Freshwater Barracuda - Ctenolucius hujeta
Distichodus notospilus- Distichodus notospilus
Distichodus fasciolatus - Distichodus fasciolatus
Nurse tetra - Alestes nurse
African tigerfish - Hydrocynus goliath
Vampire Characin-Hydrolycus scomberoides
CICHLIDS(*see note)
Oscar - Astronotus ocellatus
Umbee- Cichlasoma umbriferum
Golden Tropheops- Pseudotropheus tropheops
Black Belt Cichlid - Cichlasoma maculicauda
Blue Flash -Thorichthys aureus
Uaru - Uaru amphicanthiodes
Carpinte Cichlid - Cichlasoma carpinte
Chrysonotus Cichlid -Copadichromis chrysonotus
Chunky Hap- Protomelas annectens
Firemouth -Cichlasoma meeki
Guenther's Cichlid- Chromidotilapia guentheri guentheri
Haitian Cichlid- Cichlasoma haitiensis
Leopold's Angelfish- Pterophyllum leopoldi
Lifalili Jewel Cichlid- Hemichromis lifalili
Livingstoni's Nimbochromis-Nimbochromis livingstonii
Malawi Blue Dolphin -Cyrtocara moorii
Nicaragua Cichlid- Hypsophrys nicaraguensis
Nkata Cichlid- Copadichromis nkatae
Pasionis Cichlid- Cichlasoma pasionis
Rainbow Cichlid- Herotilapia multispinosa
Tiger Tilapia-Tilapia mariae
CATFISH
Dusky Pimelodid -Pimelodus blochii
Crystal-Eyed Catfish- Mystus wyckii
Banded Shovelnose Catfish- Brachyplatystoma juruense
Spotted Shovelnose-Hemisorubim platyrhynchos
Giraffe Catfish-Auchenoglanis occidentalis
Dwarf giraffe Catfish-Parauchenoglanis macrostoma
DATS
widebar datnoid- Datnioides pulcher 16''
Thinbar datnoid- Datnioides undecimradiatus 16''
Indonesian datnoid-Coius microlepis 18''
PLECOS
Adonis pleco-Acanthicus adonis
Black adonis-Acanthicus hystrix
GARS
Spotted gar -Lepisosteus ocula
Tropical Gar-Atractosteus tropicus
Shortnose Gar- Lepisosteus platostomus
KNIFEFISH
Clown Knifefish-Chitala chitala
African Knifefish- Xenomystus nigri
banded knifefise-Gymnotus carapo
LABYRINTHFISH
Giant Gourami- Osphronemus goramy
EELS
Tire Track Eel-Mastacembelus armatus
Peacock Eel-Macrognathus aculeatus
CYPRINIDS
Bala Shark-Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Red-Finned Cigar Shark-Leptobarbus hoevenii
Tinfoil Barb-Barbodes schwanefeldii
Chinese Algae Eater- Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Clown Loach- Botia macracantha
MISC.
Black Ghost Knifefish- Apteronotus albifrons
Elephantnose-Gnathonemus petersii
Black Devil Stingray-Potamotrygon leopoldi
Motoro Stingray-Potamotrygon motoro
(*note :to avoid agression do not have breeding pairs )
From another list about algae control
List#1 CICHLIDS
This is by no means a complete list of possibilities but I feel its a good starting point
for you to do research from.Some of the below might be hard to find localy this is where
online sellers and also the American Cichlid Association should be helpful.
Astatotilipia burtoni-Burton mouth-brooder(males 4.5 inches)
Astatotilipia brownae-Browns Mouthbroder-((4.5")
Astatotilipia Nubia-(5")
Cheilochromis euchilus-Big-lipped-chcilid (12")
Ophthalmotilipia ventralis(6")
Ophthalmotilipia boops-(5")
Anomalchromis thomasi-African butterfly cichlid (males 4")
Pseudotropheus tropheops-Golden tropheops-(6")
Pseudotropheus barlowi-(6")
Oreochromis mossambicus-Mozambique Mouth-broooder (4-15.5")
Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis-Baringo Nile Tilipia-(12-14")
Oreochromis niloticus niloticus-Nile tilapia-(12-14")
Oreochromis pangani pangani-(20")
Oreochromis spilurus niger-(12")
Oreochromis spilurus spilurus-(20")
Oreochromis tanganicae-(15")
Tilipia mariae -(12.5")
Tilipia sparmanii-Sparmans tilapia-(8")
Tilipia guinasana-Guinastilipia-(7")
Tropheus duboisi -White-spotted chiclid(4.5")
Tropheus moorii-(6")
Tropheus polli-(6")
Tropheus brichardi-Blue-Eyed Tropheus-(4.5")
Neochromis nigricans-(4.5")
Petrochromis famula-(6")
Petrochromis orthognathus-(6")
Pseudosimochromis curvifrons-Thick-headed pseudosimchromis-(7")
Sarotherodon melagaster-Black-throat tilipia-(8")
Sarotherodon galilaeus-(15")
Sarotherodon lohbergeri-(8")
Asprotilipia leptura-(4.5")
Maravichromis formosus-(5.5")
Haplochromis taeniolata-Spindle hap-(5")
Steatocranus irvinei-(6")
Thorichthys socoloff-(5")
Cyprichromis pavo-(6")

List#2 CATFISHES
Acanthodoras cataphractus-(4")
Amblydoras hancocki-(6")
Platydoras costatus-(8")
Ancistrus dolichopterus-(4.5")
Ancistrus adonis-(30+")
Ancistrus lamboensis-(6")
Panaque nigrolineatus-(9.5")
Panaque suttonorum-Blue-eyed plecostomus-(7")
Peckoltia vittata-(4-5")
Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps-(19")
Glyptoperichthys punctatus-Spotted sailfin pleco-(7")
Rineloricaria fallax-(4.5")
Chaetostoma sp.-Bulldog Catfish-(9.5")
Liposarcus anisitsi-Snow king sailfin pleco-(17")
Synodontis alberti-(6")
Synodontis angelicus-(22")
Hoplostermum thoracatum-(8")
Hemiancistrus annectens-(8")
Hemiancistrus landoni-(9")
Isorineloricaria spinosissima-Spiny suckermouth catfish-(12")
Loricaria nickernsis-Nickerie suckermouth-(6")
Baryancistrus sp.-(L18,L81,L177)-(6.5")
Leporacanthicus galaxias-Galactial suckermouth-(13")
give up yet huh huh do ya huh LOL -Anne

[beblondie]

Now thats a list LOL

[IKeepPacu]

you are indeed a bichirs best friend beblondie. the species owes you a debt of gratitude:D:D (myself included, my brain gets overloaded reading such large stickies:WHOA:)

[beblondie]

cut and paste em to notepad then print them out they make great bathroom reading lol
ask me for a list of plants go ahead

[varanio]

plant list please anne!

[beblondie]

you ask you get
African Plants
SIMPLE FLOATING PLANTS
Azolla africanas (tropical Africa)
Azolla nilotica (Eastern africa)
Azolla pinnata (africa)
Azolla filiculoides 9Africa
Salvinia natans (Northern Africa)
Ricciocarpus natans (cosmopolitan)
Ricca fluitans (cosmopolitan)
Lemna gibba (cosmopolitan)
Lemna pauciocostata (cosompolitan)
Lemna minor (cosmopolitan)
Lemna Angolensis (cosmopolitan)
Wolffia arrhiza (middle and south africa)
TRUE FLOATING PLANTS
Eichhornia crassipes (egypt)
Eichhornia natans (africa)
Trappa natans (eastern africa)
Utricularia vulgaris (north africa)
Utricularia platytera (nigeria)
Utricularia neottioides (africa)
Utricularia stellaris (africa)
Utricularia flexousa (africa)
Utricularia foliosa (africa)
Utricularia exoleta (africa)
Utricularia gibba (africa)
Utricularia neglecta (africa)
Najas minor (africa)
Najas pectinata (africa)
Najas falciculata (africa)
Najas graminea (africa)
FERNS
Ceratopteris thailctroides (cosmopolitan)
Bolbitis heudelotii (ethiopia-south africa)
Marsilea diffusa (tropical africa)
Ceratopteris cornuta (africa)
Ceratopteris pteridoides (cosmopolitan)
Ceratophyllum demersum (africa)
Ceratophyllum submersum (cosmopolitan)
MOSSES
Riccia fluitans (cosmopolitan)
Leptodictyum riparium (cosmopolitan)
Riccia rhenana (cosmopolitan)
ROSETTE PLANTS
Anubias hastifolia nigeria cameroon ziare ghana togo
Anubias afzelii (senegal,guiena,mali )
Anubias congensis (west africa, congo river)
Anubias nana (west africa, congo river)
Anubias lanceolata (west africa, congo river)
Anubias nana (west africa, congo river)
Anubias frazeri (west africa, congo river)
Anubias coffeeolia (west africa, congo river)
Anubias barteri (west africa, congo river)
Anubias giantea (west africa, liberia cameroon ivory coast)
Anubias heterophylla (senegal,cameroon)
Anubias pyaertii (senegal,cameroon)
Anubias gilletii (west africa)
Blyxa radicans (africa)
Blyxa orzettrum (africa)
Crinum calamistratum
Crinum natans (cameroon)
Crinum tortifolia (africa)
Eleocharis minima (tropical africa)
Eleocharis parvula (africa)
Aponogeton distachyus (south africa)
Aponogeton abyssinicus
Aponogeton pusillus (africa)
Aponogeton boivinianus
Aponogeton ulvaceus
Aponogeton madagascarensis
Aponogeton longiplumulosus
Aponogeton capuroni
Nymphaea alba (algeria,tunis)
Nymphaea lotus (east africa)
Nymphoides indica (tropical africa)
Vallisneria spiralis (central and east sudan)
PLANTS WITH LONG STEMS
Brasenia schreberi (west africa)
Hydrilla verticillata (cosmopolitan)
Hydrocotyle vulgaris (northern africa)
Hyrgrophila corybosa (senegal)
Myriophyllum spicatum (central africa)
Myriophyllum verticillum (africa)
Nesaea pedicellata (east africa)
Nesaea crassicaulis Africa)
Potamogeton perfoliatus (africa)
Potamogeton crispus (africa)
Potamogeton lucens (africa)
Potamogeton natans (africa)
Potamogeton malaianus (Africa)
Potamogeton schweinfurthii (africa)
STEM PLANTS
Ammannia gracillis (tropical africa)
Ammannia senegalensis (senegal)
Bacopa crenata (africa)
Bocopa monnieri (africa)
Lagarosiphon major (south africa)
Lagarosiphon muscoides (south africa)
Lagarosiphon cordofanus (africa)
Nitella gracilis (cosmopolitan)
Ranalisma humile (west africa)
Elatine macropoda (east africa)
Limnophila indica (africa)
Ranunculus delphinifolius pond plant
Zosterella dubia star grass
Otelia alismoides (tropical africa)
Lindernia parviflora (africa)
Lophotocarpus guyanensis (tropical africa)
REEDS
Sparganium ramosum
Lilaeopsis mauritiana
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cosmopolitan Plants
The following plants are considered cosmopolitan(found everywhere)
SIMPLE FLOATING PLANTS
Ricciocarpus natans (cosmopolitan)
Ricca fluitans (cosmopolitan)
Lemna gibba (cosmopolitan)
Lemna pauciocostata (cosompolitan)
Lemna minor (cosmopolitan)
Lemna Angolensis (cosmopolitan)
FERNS
Ceratopteris thailctroides (cosmopolitan)
Ceratopteris pteridoides (cosmopolitan)
Ceratophyllum submersum (cosmopolitan)
Ceratophyllum demersum
MOSSES
Riccia fluitans (cosmopolitan)
Leptodictyum riparium (cosmopolitan)
Riccia rhenana (cosmopolitan)
STEM PLANTS
Alternanthera sessilis
Nitella gracilis (cosmopolitan)
PLANTS WITH LONG STEMS
Hydrilla verticillata (cosmopolitan)
Potamogeton acutifolius
Eichhornia crassipes-Water Hyacinth

[BichirAddict]

Well my peacock eel seems okay with my senegal and ropefish.
Tiger Loach seem to be bad companions at time thou.

[Lupin]

Well my peacock eel seems okay with my senegal and ropefish.
Tiger Loach seem to be bad companions at time thou.
Because all tiger loaches are actually extremely aggressive. They lack tolerance for other fish and will nip them viciously especially as they attempt to establish ranking orders among their group. Tiger loaches are best kept with other aggressive loach species but definitely not with the peaceful ones such as the clowns. Clowns will only get harassed to death and even polypterus are no exception to that.

[IKeepPacu]

Because all tiger loaches are actually extremely aggressive. They lack tolerance for other fish and will nip them viciously especially as they attempt to establish ranking orders among their group. Tiger loaches are best kept with other aggressive loach species but definitely not with the peaceful ones such as the clowns. Clowns will only get harassed to death and even polypterus are no exception to that.

wow, you just saved me a headache. my LFS just got in some decent size, nice looking tigers. been pondering going for one, but ill pass thanks to that bit of info :)

[channarox]

generally,polys are fine with most fish they cant eat or vice versa.
but most say plecos and other slime suckers cant be kept with polys.
ive kept two common plecos with my polys though.
never had any problems.
also,no overly aggressive tankmates.

[BichirAddict]

Will be moving the loach into different tank this late spring or early summer once size isn't an issue anymore. I knew that they were aggressive but not that aggressive to something twice it's size.