Africans with polypterus???

[we4wieners]

I have a 70g African, mbuna tank. My LFS is selling a 12" polypterus, not sure what kind, very cheap. I would love to put him in.....I have a stacked slate aqaurium, for the africans. Can he go in ????

 

[Darth Scohin]

without knowing the species it could be a yes or a no....What type of mbuna do you have? anything less than 6" is threatened to be eaten
Short List if it's a:
Senegal, Delhezi, Palmas Complex, Moke(unlikely) Yes(as long as the cichlids are 6"+
Any Upper Jaw, Weeksii or Ornate No

 

[iloveoscars702]

12" sounds more like an ornate or lower jaw species. if you can get pick it would help a lot.

 

[moonchild1970]

I wanted to do this kind of setup but worried about the nipping. Mbunas are VERY nippy.

 

[richierichdollar]

I would say it will be hit or miss with different fish. I have a mbuna setup with x2senegalus and x1 ornate. My yellow lab which is the biggest (6") is the only one that picks at my poly and only my biggest one, but he is learning he lesson as my senegals caught him and bit off a piece of his back fin now he leaves him alone expect for the occasional back fin fanning. All my other fish dont even bother with them sometimes i see them hanging in pvc pipes together.

 

[RandomMistakes]

I only have experience with an electric yellow and a kribensis, but both have been perfectly friendly with my senegal. All three of them pick on a longfin rosy barb though, but that shouldn't be in there anyway...

 

[moonchild1970]

The problems arise when the Labs breed. They get VERY aggressive. I could never make it work lol.

 

[sbuse]

i have had sens with all my africans...no problems...you need to know the sp. of the poly...