afrcan biotope tank + bichir

[grmanrocks]

i am currently in the process of building an african biotope tank minus the live plants ( ya i know it kinda defeats the purpose but bichirs = uprooted expensive plants). i already have an ornate and a elephant nose that seem to , finally, be ok with each other.and i plan to add a african butterfly fish for the surface dweller once i find a nice one. but i cant seem to add anything in the middle level that wont wind up food for my ornate. i was thinking bout a climbing perch, is that good? neone kept one with a bichir before? also what else comes from africa, is mildly attractive , lives in the middle of the tank and a bichir wont eat it?

Plans:
29 Gallon African Biotope

1 3" Ornate Bichir [Temporary]
1 4" Elephantr Nose
1 African Butterfly Fish
1 Leopord Spotted Climbing Perch

 

[Alien]

there are a couple of african labeos, about 20 different species, which have a good size and can function as algae eater. If not imprisoned alone, they are quite peaceful and robust. Only problem is, that I doubt, that they will be available. The labeo family is widespread from southafrica to southeast asia, and a couple of asian variants (bicolor)

african variants, already kept in tanks (exampels)

L. cylindricus
L. forskalii
L. parvus
L. rubropunctatus
L. ruddi
L. senegalensis (large!)
L. tibesti (maybe too small)
L. variegatus

BG
Thomas

 

[Dozer0011]

I'm pleased with my current combination of assorted "upper jaw" bichirs sprinkled with:

Ctenopoma acutirostre(my best mid dweller)

Xenomystus nigri(cool addition for variety)

Pantodon buchholzi(definate top dweller)

Synodontis flavitaeniatus(bottom mostly but good scavengers)

Truthfully, the bichirs are all over the tank at times but these other fish make for nice contrasting body shapes I think. All African in origin as well.

Lots of Synodontis out there to choose from.

 

[is300zx]

I agree, the ctenopoma acutirostre makes a good mid dweller. It's very attractive and they're pretty cool to watch hunt.

 

[vanimate]

I got ctenopomas as mid dwellers in my biotope anubias planted tank. They seem to do fine with my bichers. I was also thinking of getting a small school of congo tetras as mid dwellers, but that might be too much action. I like the calmness of the tank as it is.

 

[grmanrocks]

i have the opportunity to get a 1-1.5 inch Ctenopoma acutirostre for $10. should i pounce on this opportunity or no? also at this size do you think they would be safe with a 3-4 inch bichir?