If a bichirs is lazy when small does this mean it'll be a lazy bichirs when it get bigger? I hate bichirs that lay there all day and do not swim around. I got two bichirs and endi does not seem to be eating actively. I'm think it could be sick or just a lazy bichir.
Polypterus Behavior
- Thread starter CichlidsGoneWild
- Start date
yeah different species tend to have different activity level, but at the same time it also depends on the individual to some extent. there can also be changes to their activity level as they grow and also as they become more comfortable in the tank. another thing interesting i've noticed (and what i've read from a few others) is that newly introduced bichirs could sometimes be more active before they finally settle in and settle down.
as for your endli not eating actively, its hard to say...it may be sick, or it may just be its nature. sometimes bichirs also go on periodic hunger strike...
in general the only species that are consistently active are senegalus (normal, albino, etc) and palmas polli. delhezi can be semi-active depending on the individual. the rest most of the time just hide or sit there until feeding time or until dark.
so i'm sorry to say if lazy bichirs aren't your cup of tea, then bichirs (at least most of them) aren't the thing for you...
as for your endli not eating actively, its hard to say...it may be sick, or it may just be its nature. sometimes bichirs also go on periodic hunger strike...
in general the only species that are consistently active are senegalus (normal, albino, etc) and palmas polli. delhezi can be semi-active depending on the individual. the rest most of the time just hide or sit there until feeding time or until dark.
so i'm sorry to say if lazy bichirs aren't your cup of tea, then bichirs (at least most of them) aren't the thing for you...
We did a poll elsewhere on activity levels and heres what it showed
GeneralActivity levels
From Most active to Least active:
These tend to be more active during ''lights on''periods and all are about the same activity level however
a list is a list and needs a starting point
P. senegalus
P. palmas polli
P. delhezi
P. palmas palmas
P. palmas buettikoferi
P. retropinnis
These tend to be more active during''lights off'' period
P. e. congicus
P. e. endlicheri
P. Zaire green
P. weeksii
P. lapradei
P. ornatipinnis
there are exceptions as each does tend to have their own''personality''
GeneralActivity levels
From Most active to Least active:
These tend to be more active during ''lights on''periods and all are about the same activity level however
a list is a list and needs a starting point
P. senegalus
P. palmas polli
P. delhezi
P. palmas palmas
P. palmas buettikoferi
P. retropinnis
These tend to be more active during''lights off'' period
P. e. congicus
P. e. endlicheri
P. Zaire green
P. weeksii
P. lapradei
P. ornatipinnis
there are exceptions as each does tend to have their own''personality''
Don't hate me because I don't like lazy bichirs. My delhezi and albino senegal are really active. I was just expecting my other bichirs to be the same but they're still fairly small. I'll wait if they will grow up to be active. I like watching the bichirs swim around when I'm eating.Infblue;1070355; said:
Thanks to beblondie for the post. Very informative.
no hate here 
just stating what can be expected from bichirs. it is great to watch them swim around, unfortunately most of the time thats not the case.
if you want very active bichirs, stick with senegal and palmas polli. you won't be disappointed (of course this too will depend on individuals, but generally speaking its true with these two species). delhezi can be quite active like the one you have, so thats a good choice. congicus can also be active, not as much as delhezi. ornate seems to be a hit or miss. some very lazy, some active. the rest you can generally count on them being lazy and/or hiding. i'm mainly referring to day time activity.
instead of looking at it as a continued decrease in activity level as you go down the list, it may be more accurate to think of three activity levels, as anne said the individual's 'personality' does come into play. 1) those that are generally active, 2) semi-active or hit/miss situation, 3) generally not active. and most bichirs belong to 2 and 3, at least during 'lights on'
just stating what can be expected from bichirs. it is great to watch them swim around, unfortunately most of the time thats not the case.if you want very active bichirs, stick with senegal and palmas polli. you won't be disappointed (of course this too will depend on individuals, but generally speaking its true with these two species). delhezi can be quite active like the one you have, so thats a good choice. congicus can also be active, not as much as delhezi. ornate seems to be a hit or miss. some very lazy, some active. the rest you can generally count on them being lazy and/or hiding. i'm mainly referring to day time activity.
instead of looking at it as a continued decrease in activity level as you go down the list, it may be more accurate to think of three activity levels, as anne said the individual's 'personality' does come into play. 1) those that are generally active, 2) semi-active or hit/miss situation, 3) generally not active. and most bichirs belong to 2 and 3, at least during 'lights on'
my endlicheri is very active, as soon as the lights go out, she wont even eat until the lights are out
Other than the information already posted about which species have which activity level, I've noticed that it really strongly depends on what the tank-mates are. I've got a tank that's basically Bichir dominant, and there are only a few Distichodus and a school of 6 Coppernosed Barbs, but the main # of fish in the tank are all Polypterus. In my tank, and in JESToner's tank (99% Bichir only) the fish seem to be a lot more active and relaxed, not to mention very social and communal with eachother. In tanks that are just mixed fish, with a few Bichirs mixed in, I've noticed they dont seem as comfortable or active.