Grow out question...

[Jrp0405]

Looking for a little advice...

I recently picked up 4 sengals from petsmart. They are currently about 2-2.5 inches. I have them in a 29 gallon for now. I was wondering at what size I should move them to my next grow out tank (55). They are currently eating frozen brine shrimp, plankton, and sinking shrimp pellets. Is this a varied enough diet? I have some algea wafers I'm debating on tossing in to see what happens...

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

I think about 5"

 

[gerryjun]

Senegals grow to a max of 12", but in captivity they usually only reach around 10inch and seldom does the max achieved.

a 29gal usually has a dimension of 30 x 12 x18

If your only keeping four senegals you can actually keep them on a 29gal for life, if you plan to add more or build a community then you need to upgrade.

after 5-6" no need to put them on another grow out tank.

 

[Jrp0405]

Thanks for the info...
I would like to eventually get a few more polys. The only thing I have seen around here is the sengals. I got to switch out the 55 from gravel to some nice sand before I put the little guys in.

 

[tokyogasmask]

Senegals grow to a max of 12", but in captivity they usually only reach around 10inch and seldom does the max achieved.

a 29gal usually has a dimension of 30 x 12 x18

If your only keeping four senegals you can actually keep them on a 29gal for life, if you plan to add more or build a community then you need to upgrade.

after 5-6" no need to put them on another grow out tank.

No no no!

A 30gal is not nearly fit for two Senegals for life!
Where did you get that idea from?

 

[gerryjun]

No no no!

A 30gal is not nearly fit for two Senegals for life!
Where did you get that idea from?

I dont think its over stocked at 4 sens at 29gal if each is at 10inch adult size.

And i have seen guys over stock their bichir tanks.

its all about management and maintenance, so long as you know what your doing, if you over stock them be sure to do the proper maintenance to keep water quality.

i have seen tanks where Endli's are on top of each other like carpet, although i don't suggest it, just be sure to do proper maintenance if you do.

29gal has a space of about 30"x12"x18" leg room is no why near overstock.

I would agree its not ideal, but its possible, and our aquarium will never be ideal compared wild habitat.

can you share your criteria on housing requirement for senegals in particular specifically for minimum and ideal setup?

do you go with length ratio to water volume? ground area to bichir length?

Thanks

 

[JamesF]

While a 29 may be large enough in terms of bioload, it's in no way large enough for 4 senegals. They just get too large for a tank that size.
My 2 dels looked cramped in my 50 gallon when I moved them out, and they were only in the 8-9" range. It also wasn't large enough for them to have their own territory. If one got nippy, the other had nowhere to go. There's a lot more to choosing tank size than simply looking at bioload or fish size.

 

[tokyogasmask]

Sorry, I have 6 tanks of Bichirs, many of them "carpeted" but they all have lots of room to swim.

Senegals being the more active of the Bichirs, they swim a lot.

30gallons whatever the dimension is no where near enough leg room for 2 or more Senegals.

IMO, it isn't enough for 1 adult Senegal.

 

[gerryjun]

Sorry, I have 6 tanks of Bichirs, many of them "carpeted" but they all have lots of room to swim.

Senegals being the more active of the Bichirs, they swim a lot.

30gallons whatever the dimension is no where near enough leg room for 2 or more Senegals.

IMO, it isn't enough for 1 adult Senegal.

Yeah i guess it will not be much swimming room, then that leaves us with 50gal or 75gal as a minimum of 4 adult sens?

IMHO its possible to keep them at 29gal, but not optimal.

I agree bigger will always be better.


But i think your guys are more of Endli, Lapra's the larger types, they dont swim much right? then for them ground area is more important that height of swimming room?

 

[cmj15]

but as to the food my senegal will chow down on the algae wafers i throw in the tank for my plecos along with just about anything else tjat will fit in his mouth