Endlicheri vs. Lapradei

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KrabbeAquatics

Gambusia
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Jun 9, 2012
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I have had these two Polypterus housed together for several months now and have never had any issues with aggression until recently. My Endlicheri has started to attack the tail fin of the Lapradei and it is now a shredded stump of a tail. Does anyone know what this behavior could be caused by? I also have a Senegalus that's about the same size, maybe a bit smaller, and he has not been touched by either of the other two. All the Polys are about 10"-12" so there isn't any big size difference. Anyone have any thoughts?

Tank Setup:
-55g
-C-360 Canister Filter
-7.8pH
--Polypterus Endlicheri Endlicheri (12")
--Polypterus Bichir Lapradei (11")
--Polypterus Senegalus Senegalus (10")
--Cichla Ocellaris (7")
--Albino Pacu (5") [Temporary]
--Tiger Shovelnose Catfish (8") [Temporary]
--Pimelodella Four Line Catfish (6")
--Royal Plecostomus (6")
 
haha. It's obvious. It's the tiny tank you put the fish in. Your 55 gallon tank is a mad house inside. I know it's temporarly but in the time you have right now, any kind of aggresion will happen.
You should be putting them in at least a 120 gallon tank.

Just as a reflection, I once had a 4 inch poly retropinnis that I put in divided 75 gallon tank. He had 10 gallons of the tank while my other fish got the other 65 gallons. Every time one of my other bichirs accidently swam across the filter to the retro, side, my retro would beat the cr@p out of my other bichirs. I was going to sell my retro until one day, my retro snuck to the other side of the divider and I saw him snuggling up with my other bichirs and the bigger side my my tank. They live very peacefully now.

In my experience, large space is very important to ease aggresion. Even with hiding spot, my bichirs are still very peaceful.
 
Well generally mine are very peaceful too, but I guess they're just getting a tad big large in there. The Shovelnose and Pacu will be gone soon, but even then it'll be tight in there. I started a 225g plywood build that I haven't messed with in a while. It got put on hold now that I am in the process of moving and car repairs. I'm hoping I can work on it some more soon because I do not want to get rid of these Polys. I do have friends that could hold them for me, but I just prefer to avoid all the moving around. If it comes down to it I will pick up a used 75g or 90g just so I can provide a bit more room. I work at a pet store so it won't be hard for me to find a cheap, possibly free, used tank.

But thanks. I kinda assumed it had to do with tank size, but I wasn't sure if there were any natural behaviors or mating behaviors I was over looking.

and FYI the sizes are guesstimated. I don't know the exact lengths, I'm just basing them off of reference points in the tank. I know the width is about 12" maybe a little over so I just go by that.
 
The tank is waaay too small and narrow for all of those fish. Even the Sen at full growth. If you want to keep all those fish together forever you need at least a 150. The Endli has finally gotten territorial. After all as much as folks like to show Bichir piles, these are solitary fish. Get a much bigger tank. For know go out and get a 20G hospital tank and treat your Lap with salt, a little higher water temp, Melafix and clean water. The fins should grow back over time
 
KrabbeAquatics said:
Well generally mine are very peaceful too, but I guess they're just getting a tad big large in there. The Shovelnose and Pacu will be gone soon, but even then it'll be tight in there. I started a 225g plywood build that I haven't messed with in a while. It got put on hold now that I am in the process of moving and car repairs. I'm hoping I can work on it some more soon because I do not want to get rid of these Polys. I do have friends that could hold them for me, but I just prefer to avoid all the moving around. If it comes down to it I will pick up a used 75g or 90g just so I can provide a bit more room. I work at a pet store so it won't be hard for me to find a cheap, possibly free, used tank.

But thanks. I kinda assumed it had to do with tank size, but I wasn't sure if there were any natural behaviors or mating behaviors I was over looking.

and FYI the sizes are guesstimated. I don't know the exact lengths, I'm just basing them off of reference points in the tank. I know the width is about 12" maybe a little over so I just go by that.
Click to expand...

I hope ur monster tank is ready soon! I guess more damage may be done.
 
Just Prince said:
The tank is waaay too small and narrow for all of those fish. Even the Sen at full growth. If you want to keep all those fish together forever you need at least a 150. The Endli has finally gotten territorial. After all as much as folks like to show Bichir piles, these are solitary fish. Get a much bigger tank. For know go out and get a 20G hospital tank and treat your Lap with salt, a little higher water temp, Melafix and clean water. The fins should grow back over time
Click to expand...

yeah. I knew from the beginning I would need a larger tank, but I kinda assumed I would already have one by now so I just didn't prepare as much as I should have. I'd really hate to get rid of them at this point. Every one except the Lap were about 2"-3" when I got them. I may be given a 150 soon, but it won't be soon enough so I can't really rely on that. Like I said in the last post though, I am in the process of moving into my own apartment so I also need to see what my limitations are over at the new place as far as tank size. I have people that could take my fish temporarily, but I just want to avoid moving them back and forth too much. It'll all come together sooner or later though. And for the Lap I got a 29 he can go in
 
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