Accidentally became a poly owner, HELP!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Casper2000

Casper2000

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 19, 2008
1,132
2
0
New York City
So I set up a little 20G in my room for something small and colorful. It's been empty since I set it up 4 days ago because the water has been cycling. Today my dad comes home and he surprises me with the gift of a 6-7" senegal :eek::eek:. Don't get me wrong I think he's cool as beans but I just have no idea how to care for one so here I am with some minor questions. He's in a 20G right now by himself, will he be able to live here for long or should I start looking for a new tank lol? Also I just tested the PH and its at about 7.4-5 and I read blondies guide and it should be around 7.2 tops, should I drop my PH asap or wait and see? He doesn't seem to be in distress and he's just chilling and swimming around every few seconds. Btw I really wanted to get some pike cichlids before, would it be alright to mix it with him? I'd rather leave him alone but I guess it'd be nice to have some tank mates.

P.S. I read the intro to poly guide these are just more specific questions
P.S.S. I named him Wall-E lol

IMG_9636.JPG

IMG_9638.JPG

IMG_9639.JPG
 
I'd say it will be fine at that PH only thing you need to worrie about is the tank 4 days isn't enough to cycle it normally watch the amonia, nitrites and nitrates


I'd start looking for a bigger tank he will be fine for a little while but will out grow it eventually there a very active bichir

In a bigger tnak a pike cichlid would be fine with one PH would be the only problem but they could adapt don't get a huge pike or a dwarf a saxatilis would work nicely there a medium size pike
 
Your water is fine DO NOT FUSS WITH IT -Anne
 
beblondie;1906430; said:
Your water is fine DO NOT FUSS WITH IT -Anne
Click to expand...
i agree. make sure you don't add any more fish as i'm sure it's still cycling (you don't want any more sources of ammonia) and check your parameters A LOT

i've only had a few pikes and bichirs together for not very long but they've always gotten along fine.
 
Thanks guys, I'm planning to leave him alone for awhile the only thing I'll add is a log for him to sleep in. My tank is pretty much bare, just the gravel and the fish lol. How many gallons would be good for him and a pike? I was thinking around 75....
 
The funny thing is that most bichirs would probably prefer floating plants rather than caves, to sleep in.

They enjoy the easy access to the surface to breathe.

My sens like to spend a lot of time resting on the spray bar of one of the filters.
 
dbcb314;1908009; said:
what kind of pike are you talking?
Click to expand...

I'm not really sure yet because I'm totally new to pikes and still doing reading on them. It started when I saw my friend's ring tail saxatilis and thought it was cool. I was hoping some of the guys over on the cichlid section could advise me to some good medium-sized ones for my sen. I don't want it to get bullied but I want at least two pikes in the tank (not the current 20G, future 75ishG)

That's some good info about the plants, maybe I'll try some as I'd prefer plants over a lunking cave in the corner lol.

Edit: Haha looks like I've turned into a senegal birchir now (based on post ct)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom