Bichirs / polypterus at Fish Story

[thebiggerthebetter]

In my 10 years on MFK my first ever post in this section. Even though bichirs have not been my cup of tea, I guess they have been warming up to me a bit, haha... J jaws7777 would be proud...

We have had one bichir, a senegali, donated by Parker to us about 4 years ago at 8". Today it is about 14"-16" and doing well. Eats everything. The only problem, his little mahseer tank mates peck his tail for some reason, so he hides in the plants a lot but there is no damage on the tail. Will get some visuals of the fish later at some point.

Most recently we got an 8" delhezi donated to us too, which has gone into the same 240 gal tank as senegali, we call it the minnow, grow out tank:

 

[beau1990]

And into the dark side Viktor goes

I always wondered if you had any polys, being the fish rescue type

 

[tlindsey]

And into the dark side Viktor goes

I thought Saltwater was the Dark side lol.

 

[Iamfish]

Next step, lower jaws

 

[fishhead0103666]

I would have thought he had at least 6 bichirs by now especially given the beautiful coloring on small ornates.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I would have thought he had at least 6 bichirs by now especially given the beautiful coloring on small ornates.

It's not only in the coloration. The majority of fish that scratch me where I itch look like, well... fish, not armored hot dogs like polys or pliable saucers like rays. But both can be breathtakingly beautiful.

I am still strangely attracted to eels and lungs. So there is still hope for me.

 

[beau1990]

Armored hotdogs lol

 

[jaws7777]

not allowed to have a like button so...


"Like"

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

The senegali and delhezi have been doing well. Eating too much but no growth I'd say I note. No interaction between themselves or with tank mates have I noted either but I don't get time to watch much at all, less then a minute a day on average. Some tank mates such as mahseer and pictus catfish sport split fins but I've not caught who is doing it. On paper it could be the polys, I guess. But pictus often challenge the pecking order in between themselves, perhaps mahseer do the same.

 

[Fishnkdub]

Updates on the bichirs? thebiggerthebetter