ABF with UpperJaws

[thefredpit]

Yes, I have:

(Polys don't seem to have body awareness LOL)

I think they're a great match.

What are your specific questions?

they really do navigate by feel lol

 

[magpie]

How big do they really get? I'd love some, but my polys would get em if they're not elusive. Think they're 2" @ 12 bucks each at my lfs. magpie

Mine are about 2-2.5 body length with .5-1" more if you include the tails. I saw some larger ones at WS last time I was there, so I am certain they get larger. They are chunky. Chunky enough for LJs who might be prone to eating fish? Not sure.

From what I've read they get up to 5" max size. I don't have any personal experience but if they are like hatchets they are oblivious to the world underneath and with the larger species poly's that would leave them open for ambush, I would think. I'm more interested in the smaller poly's with the slender eel like bodies and just wondered if Moke/Retropinnis would bother them once full grown

My Moke is a much different body shape and head than the Del at the same size. Narrow with smaller mouth.

Do You have any pics of your tank? I would love to see it!

Look in the "Udon, Soba, and the Noodles" thread and you'll see pics and videos. I am adding some more pics tomorrow.

My caveats are:
- I have not had Polys for very long.
- My largest UJ right now is the Del at 8 inches.
- I had a 6" Palmas Palmas that was more aggressive towards the Del and also ate Kuhli loaches. She did not even look at the Butterflies.
- I can never promise you that this would work out long term - you may get a jerk Poly.
- My current mix of polys aren't aggressive. They live with Kuhli loaches (and Congo Tetras.)
- I would think that things on the bottom would be MUCH more likely meals. The butterflies don't move a lot. (Which is why you should have a small group. And yes, they like floating plants.) The bichirs have crap vision. I would think that they'd more likely eat moving targets, esepcially those on the bottom.

 

[Hendre]

If they can't eat it it should be good. I'm going to try them again with UJs. My chalceus split my last ABF in half

 

[jaws7777]

Mine are about 2-2.5 body length with .5-1" more if you include the tails. I saw some larger ones at WS last time I was there, so I am certain they get larger. They are chunky. Chunky enough for LJs who might be prone to eating fish? Not sure.


My Moke is a much different body shape and head than the Del at the same size. Narrow with smaller mouth.



Look in the "Udon, Soba, and the Noodles" thread and you'll see pics and videos. I am adding some more pics tomorrow.

My caveats are:
- I have not had Polys for very long.
- My largest UJ right now is the Del at 8 inches.
- I had a 6" Palmas Palmas that was more aggressive towards the Del and also ate Kuhli loaches. She did not even look at the Butterflies.
- I can never promise you that this would work out long term - you may get a jerk Poly.
- My current mix of polys aren't aggressive. They live with Kuhli loaches (and Congo Tetras.)
- I would think that things on the bottom would be MUCH more likely meals. The butterflies don't move a lot. (Which is why you should have a small group. And yes, they like floating plants.) The bichirs have crap vision. I would think that they'd more likely eat moving targets, esepcially those on the bottom.

Mag how big were the ones you saw @ WS ? I had them when i was a kid and enjoyed them. Sadley a couple of snakeheads made snacks out of them...and everything ele no internet back then

 

[magpie]

J jaws7777 - I didn't look to try and measure but noticed that they were definitely bigger than mine. Sorry!

 

[Bad Kitty]

I appreciate the info, I think I am going to try it and I'm leaning more toward 1 mokele and 2 retro's with ropes. I want the mokele to be the "star" and a dehlezi will get bigger mass wise. Thanks your info was really helpful

 

[magpie]

Note that the Mokes and Retros aren't known to be the most outgoing polys as a general rule... My moke is apparently a weirdo in that he isn't always hidden. You might consider a Palmas Polli or Senegal in the mix if you want to be sure to have a poly that you see a lot.

Also, it does depend on the poly. My Del is really mellow and gentle...

I'm so excited to see your setup!

 

[Bad Kitty]

Note that the Mokes and Retros aren't known to be the most outgoing polys as a general rule... My moke is apparently a weirdo in that he isn't always hidden. You might consider a Palmas Polli or Senegal in the mix if you want to be sure to have a poly that you see a lot.

Also, it does depend on the poly. My Del is really mellow and gentle...

I'm so excited to see your setup!

This may sound weird but if I don't see them it is okay. I have done this with khulis in a 30 before and it is the coolest thing ever, it is like watching bats leave a cave at sundown. I simulated sundown through timers on CFL bulbs. The last one on was a 10 watt colormax and it triggered them to come out for the night. I Mainly want it to be a night time tank for them, during the day there will be ABF, a Ctenopoma and 1-3 Toxotes Blythii. I am going to create this with manipulation of led on ramp up/down timers. The tank (got it yesterday ) will have substantial cave systems for them as well as other hiding spots for the knife and the ropes.. I will be posting a build thread as I go on here. Hopefully they will share the large cave together but if not there will be at least 1 per fish that likes to hide for territorial issues if they arise. I am really hoping it doesnt but you can only do so much to curb natural instinct.

 

[Bad Kitty]

Is there a place that is usually used to post build progression on tanks on this forum?

 

[magpie]

Cool, I am psyched for you and for us to watch it.

I feel like people have threads like that in whatever forum their "highlight" fish are in. Yours might be cool in the general aquaria section because it's so unique...?