75 Gallon tank inhabitants

[Dobsie]

My friend recently found a Polypterus he likes. We haven't had much experience with these guys. So I came here to get some advice from you guys.

He wants to setup a 75 gallon tank with about 80 pounds of sand. He wants to get the caribsea that is the black and white mixed together. We have heard that red and black sands are good to bring out colors in bichirs.

He for sure wants a delhezi.

Would a sengal be ok to add to this mixture?

We want to find a good mix to have a tank for life.

options we were thinking about

a) Delhezi

b) delhezi, senegal

c) Delhezi, Electric Blue Jack Dempsey

d) Delhezi, oscar... Not sure about this one oscar create a lot of waste, but he likes both of these. I know Oscars are ok in a 75+ gallons I just don't know abou that with a delhezi.

 

[Wiggles92]

I'm pretty sure that P. senegalus and P. delhezi are pretty close in size as adults (12" and 14", respectively) so they should be fine as long as they're of similar size at the time of purchase and grow at a similar rate.

I'd say that a) and b) will work, but I'd be cautious about trying c) and d) since some cichlids (oscars included) can be very aggressive and/or territorial. Let's see what others have to say on this matter.

Have him read the stickies for more detailed info on the different species of Polypterus (to see if there are any others that he likes) and also to learn more about their care.

 

[Loves severums]

My friend recently found a Polypterus he likes. We haven't had much experience with these guys. So I came here to get some advice from you guys.

He wants to setup a 75 gallon tank with about 80 pounds of sand. He wants to get the caribsea that is the black and white mixed together. We have heard that red and black sands are good to bring out colors in bichirs.

He for sure wants a delhezi.

Would a sengal be ok to add to this mixture?

We want to find a good mix to have a tank for life.

options we were thinking about

a) Delhezi

b) delhezi, senegal

c) Delhezi, Electric Blue Jack Dempsey

d) Delhezi, oscar... Not sure about this one oscar create a lot of waste, but he likes both of these. I know Oscars are ok in a 75+ gallons I just don't know abou that with a delhezi.

No on C. EBJD are very hard to keep. if u have any Q on EBJD pm me.

 

[Darth Scohin]

No on D Oscars do not do well with Polys as sometimes they can see polys as food....I have a Del and Sen in my 75gal it's a fine combo....Also BE SURE you're getting a Polypterus delhezi as many LFS will mix up Delhezi with Polypterus e. endlicheri

 

[vermillion]

i'll take a & b...i had an experience with oscar mix with poly..its bad choices of tank mate...

 

[Dobsie]

No on C. EBJD are very hard to keep. if u have any Q on EBJD pm me.

Why no to the EBJD? Between my friend and I, we have kept Discus, rams and various apistogrammas and nothing in freshwater can be more difficult than those for water quality and discus are very picky eaters sometimes.

Anyways I think he is leaning more towards a delhezi and some sort of SA Cichlid. Like a Firemouth, Severum or EBJD.

Around here we have choices between ornates, palmas, delhezi and Senegals.