congo tetras

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jschall

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 9, 2009
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Chico, California
One of my 3" congo tetras finally got killed. I didn't see it happen, but I would assume he got caught by my biggest bichir, 7.5" delhezi.

They didn't eat the entire tetra. I found it floating on top, missing its tail and part of its belly. Kind of a bummer, as the tetras were $12/ea. I knew it might happen, though.

Are the rest of them as good as dead?
 
More likely. I've kept Bichirs and Congo Tetras together before, but the Congos were 4" and the Bichir was an Albino Senegal which was about 6" I actually moved my Pearl Gouramis out last month because I can see the Endlis getting big enough to try a bite.
 
I lost 2 of my congos to one of my bichirs, but both times it was the same senegal. The other two polys in the tank never bothered with them. If your delhezi has attacked once, there's a good chance he will again imo. I still think its a good combo but there's always a risk when you're dealing with predators. Sorry for your loss :cheers:
 
Finally the answer to all "Can I add congo tetras to my bichirs?". Lots of people kept saying that bichirs are unpredictable during lights out and are capable of doing death roll. Like any curious predatory fish, they are attracted to fish with twitchy movement such as schooling barbs, tetras and other of those kinds.
 
I'd hardly say that this is concrete proof that Congos and Polys shouldn't be mixed. Anytime you mix anything with a predator (even another predator) there's a certain element of risk. Theres plenty of examples of Oscars killing Polys, Polys killing Oscars, Polys killing other Polys, etc, etc. Bichirs have their own personalities and behaviors and there are no surefire combos - some work for some people and not for others. Anne said it herself in the primer:

beblondie said:
Compatibility, the reality
When asked "will they get along ?" Sometimes the answer is as simple as yes or no, The truth is we speak in generalities some fish in theory should be ok together some not.The long broad sweeping statements are flawed as they are generalities I think we all know generalities are just opinions , but because we are dealing with animals each with its own personality its flawed.This question is harder with predatory fish, due to their natural habits ,predation! where they naturaly feed on the smaller , the weaker and the sick, claim territory and defend it . The actual answer is we don't know it's our best guess that they should or shouldn't get along.I know one of my bichirs is highly agressive which is completely different from what i have been told, so he's in his own tank , my others all conspecifics seem fine together which is oppisite from what i have read and been told. Its a case of trial and error to some extent and depends on the individual animal. When introducing a new animal into the territory of an established animal try rearanging the tank it tends to remove reference points for territoriality but most important watch for trouble and stop it before it goes to far.

FWIW, I never had a single loss when my fish were in the main 4' tank. Both of my congos were taken down when I had to move everyone into a 20g Long as I sold off my collection. In the small tank they were crowded, couldn't establish territories and it was like shooting fish in a barrel, so to speak. I'm still a fan of the combo, and will do it again when I move and can get back into upper jaws.

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:cheers:
 
Congos are expensive Bichir snacks! :drool:
 
They will probably end up as food so why take the risk,i wouldnt trust any of mine with them.
Good luck.

Steve
 
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