Endlicheri adjustment

[jpierce3]

I acquired 2 endli's and an ornate from someone little over a week ago to go in my 125 with another ornatipinnis. All four are about the same size at 13-15". The ornate seems to have adjusted well. However, one of the endli's is barely eating and the other not at all. The previous owner was feeding every other day Tilapia, shrimp and massivore.

I was going to try to keep the same feeding schedule and diet knowing mine will eat a wider variety of foods being with Mbuna and peacocks for a while until the last few years he's been alone. I kept up the variety though. I have fed them 3 times now and one of the endli's ate a couple pieces of shrimp and on piece of Tilapia. The other has had one piece of shrimp only and just hides during feeding. The ornates have consumed pretty much all of it.

I'm not worried that they don't get enough food. I know they can go a long time without. Just wondering if anyone has had any trouble getting them to adjust and about how long should it take? Any other advise because this would be my first time with Endli's.

On a side not, I was at PetSmart and saw Sens for $5. I have some extra tanks for when they are small, but don't know if I should really keep any more bichirs in the 125. Just don't think it's big enough. Almost bought them though.

Thanks

 

[MichaelMan]

i have an ornate , saddeled ,and senegal in the same tank senegal is half the size as the ornate which is about 15 inches and my saddeled is around 11 inches. i got the sen first then the saddeled then the ornate. they all mix well together. just dont put them in to small but if you had a grow out tank would be good to go imo. good luck with your endlicheri

 

[tokyogasmask]

IMO, 125gal is too small for Endlicheri.
Infact too small for any lower jaw Bichirs.
With the potential to grow in the 60cm mark, not enough space!

 

[jpierce3]

IMO, 125gal is too small for Endlicheri.
Infact too small for any lower jaw Bichirs.
With the potential to grow in the 60cm mark, not enough space!

I am aware. He said that he suspects one of them to be a "short body" or in my case, I call a runt. And the other, if I can't get her to start eating won't be getting any length. Thank you for your concern though.

My main issue right now is get them happy, healthy and growing. I have in the past had fish take months to adjust, in fact not eating for weeks. I don't mind putting in the time. Trying to see if anyone else has been in the situation or observed the same behavior from this species. I will deal with the size issue of finding a new tank either with friends or getting a bigger one myself when the time comes. Wife and I have been talking about 8-10' Acrylic anyway.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

try to turn him on with some smelly food such as market prawn and tilapia.