How many polys in a 75 gallon?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
dani_starr said:
Thanks, but I never wanted all of them. I just wanted to list the species that I was considering out of since if I just wrote "upper jaw species" or 12-14" bichirs, I feel as if there would of been confusion.

I don't want to have to upgrade the tank. So if I were to do
-2 ropes
-2 Sens
-and 2 of the (delhezi, palmas sp., or retropinnis)

That would be okay? Would I have room to add either 1 peacock eel (max size 12"), or 2 of zig zag/yellow tailed spiny eels? (max size 6-8") or would I need to take out one of the bichirs for everyone to have enough space?
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Putting those two ropes in might push your luck. These are all bottom dweller fish you are dealing with that will compete for personal territory since they are not social by default.

Why not do 2 bichirs, 1 rope, and 1 eel? Limit yourself to four bottom dwellers and think about the possibility of other fish that dwell in the mid or top range of your tank. EDIT: I know some people may say this is understocking but the less they have to compete the better. They will be happier and come out more.
 
I always advise to keep ropes in groups. They are the most social in the bichir group and a lot more fun when in groups. My suggestion would be 1 sen 1 palmas 4 ropes and with really frequent WC 4 spiny eels.
 
Sanguinefox said:
Putting those two ropes in might push your luck. These are all bottom dweller fish you are dealing with that will compete for personal territory since they are not social by default.

Why not do 2 bichirs, 1 rope, and 1 eel? Limit yourself to four bottom dwellers and think about the possibility of other fish that dwell in the mid or top range of your tank. EDIT: I know some people may say this is understocking but the less they have to compete the better. They will be happier and come out more.
Click to expand...

I thought the ropes were actually social by nature, much like the gregarious kuhli loaches who thrive with a companion? And same with the zig zag yellow tailed eels (which I LOVE), they like to have at least a friend or 2 as well. That's just what I read somewhere. Otherwise, I would be fine with only 1 rope or 1 eel, but I just want to keep them with a friend if that's how they are happiest :)

My main issue is, I LOVE the look of pretty much all "bottom" dwellers (catfish, bichirs, eels, raphaels, ropes, etc.) and I really don't care for a lot of the top dwellers, lol.

So basically, any combo of any 4 bottom dwellers (either bichirs, ropes, or eels) you think would be okay? Then I should look into some mid/top water swimmers instead of more bottom fish.

Hmmm that's gonna be hard to choose which ones now. Would 5 be okay, or would 4 be a LOT better? (I'm thinking of dropping the ropes, since they can reach 30" and my tank is pretty small for such a long fish imo, and go with 3 bichirs and 2 of yellow tailed zig zag eels, or 2 bichirs and 3 of the yellow tailed zig zag eels. Since the eels will only get 6-8" and from the sites I've read, are social little guys)

Then I'll find some sort of mid/top species that I like.

EDIT: Darn it, watched a vid of the ropes, they are awesome fish. Now I am back to being undecided. Are ropes okay in 75 gallons? And so for sure, ropes are social then by nature?
 
Sanguinefox said:
Putting those two ropes in might push your luck. These are all bottom dweller fish you are dealing with that will compete for personal territory since they are not social by default.

Why not do 2 bichirs, 1 rope, and 1 eel? Limit yourself to four bottom dwellers and think about the possibility of other fish that dwell in the mid or top range of your tank. EDIT: I know some people may say this is understocking but the less they have to compete the better. They will be happier and come out more.
Click to expand...

This post of yours is exactly why I asked how many bichirs you actually own. With all due respect you are giving advice but have very limited experience with these fish. I am not claiming to be an expert but when you say " Putting those two ropes in might push your luck." -- this is way off. Anyone who has owned rope fish can tell you that. But then again I may be wrong. Can you please tell me how putting two rope fish in a 75gall is pushing it? And this time don't ask me to answer a question before you answer this one. ;)
 
dani_starr said:
I thought the ropes were actually social by nature, much like the gregarious kuhli loaches who thrive with a companion? And same with the zig zag yellow tailed eels (which I LOVE), they like to have at least a friend or 2 as well. That's just what I read somewhere. Otherwise, I would be fine with only 1 rope or 1 eel, but I just want to keep them with a friend if that's how they are happiest :)

My main issue is, I LOVE the look of pretty much all "bottom" dwellers (catfish, bichirs, eels, raphaels, ropes, etc.) and I really don't care for a lot of the top dwellers, lol.

So basically, any combo of any 4 bottom dwellers (either bichirs, ropes, or eels) you think would be okay? Then I should look into some mid/top water swimmers instead of more bottom fish.

Hmmm that's gonna be hard to choose which ones now. Would 5 be okay, or would 4 be a LOT better? (I'm thinking of dropping the ropes, since they can reach 30" and my tank is pretty small for such a long fish imo, and go with 3 bichirs and 2 of yellow tailed zig zag eels, or 2 bichirs and 3 of the yellow tailed zig zag eels. Since the eels will only get 6-8" and from the sites I've read, are social little guys)

Then I'll find some sort of mid/top species that I like.

EDIT: Darn it, watched a vid of the ropes, they are awesome fish. Now I am back to being undecided. Are ropes okay in 75 gallons? And so for sure, ropes are social then by nature?
Click to expand...

Don't listen to sanguinefox. You seem to know more than Mr. fox.

I am not trying to be mean, but his advice is way off. and you are absolutely correct some species do better in groups.
 
framcosco said:
This post of yours is exactly why I asked how many bichirs you actually own. With all due respect you are giving advice but have very limited experience with these fish. I am not claiming to be an expert but when you say " Putting those two ropes in might push your luck." -- this is way off. Anyone who has owned rope fish can tell you that. But then again I may be wrong. Can you please tell me how putting two rope fish in a 75gall is pushing it? And this time don't ask me to answer a question before you answer this one. ;)
Click to expand...

Ropes LOVE to be in packs and do great with polys and just about everything else too. The only downside to them, is that they are crazy good escape artist and find ways you never knew down your overflows LOL
 
I currently have 2 Polli, 2 Delz, and an Albino Sen in a 75g. All under 10" I actually wanted to add 2 more Delz when the Endlis get larger in my other tank and I may later on, but the current stock of 5 Polys seem good to me without looking too over crowed at the bottom. I also have 2 Zamora Cats, a Tiger Botia, a CK, and 2 Fancy Plecos in that tank. As you can see, a lot of my stock are also bottom/nocturnal dwellers. The tank actually looks pretty empty, lol!
 
I know right Ben? I have 2 sens (5-6 inches) 2 endlis (6-7 inches) and a 12 inch Fire eel in a 50 gallon corner growout tank. It looks empty all the time. You might see a sen go flying by, but that's it lol.
 
Funny part is when I have friends come over they always ask me when I'm going to put fish in or why do I have an empty tank running, lol!
 
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