An Ornate Question

[BichirRelic]

It looks Like I am going to be getting a polypterus ornatipinnis and a polypterus palmas polli from rehobothaquatics. I understand that the Ornate Won't be able to live with my sens and the palmas forever but about how long will I have given all of them at approx. 6-8inches before the ornate could start to see his roomates as oversized spaghetti? I have plans and most of the cash for a 150-200 gal tank and will be moving the Ornate to it, just need to know how long I have before I need to have everything ready.

 

[ocellatus]

The senegalus and palmas grow quickly to 12" then slow down / stop. The ornate will reach double that size, but in my experience will take a very long time to get there.

I got my ornate at 3 1/2 " a year ago, and she's 12" now. I've heard others say that ornates start getting pretty snappy over a foot, but right now mine gets bullied steady by a 12" lap.

Your fish will likley all grow to the 12" or so stage together, then the ornate will slowly outgrow the others. Once there is a significant difference, (more than 4") if you want to be safe, move the ornate. That may not happen for another year though......

That said, I know plenty of poly keepers who have a wide size range (myself included) all living peacefully together. Also those who have had similar sized poly's eat their poly tankmates. Depends how risk averse you are....

O