How fat should a Senegalus be?

[Stump]

Some of you might already know, but I recently ordered 3 Sens, and I should be able to pick them up on Thursday (I'm supposed to be getting a call from her on Wednesday). I really don't know what to expect for size, but I am under the impression they aren't very big right now. On the phone she said she was able to get "3 Senegalus, and 1 Delhezi, but it's 8-10" long."

So i'm thinking the sens might be pretty small. My question is, as the title reads, How fat should a sen be? At what size?


I just need an idea of what to expect, and know if the ones I am getting are healthy. I've seen PLENTY of pictures of nearly every kind of bichir, but the pictures of the senegalus' i've seen have varied a lot in thickness.



Pics would be a +.

 

[FishGoneWild]

Most senegals at the store are on the skinny side. You would be very lucky if you find one that is chunky.

Pic below is a senegal being way too fat.

Expect to see them skinny like this or skinnier at the store.

 

[Stump]

So aiming for something inbetween after I get it should be ideal?

Thanks for the pics BTW.

 

[FishGoneWild]

Something like pic 2 or a little fatter should be ideal. If you see one like pic 1 it's way too fat but that does not necessarily mean it's bad if it's well taken care of. However, you definitely would want to avoid pumping your senegal fat like a polish sausage. Fat like a Costco sausage is the ideal size.

 

[Stump]

Alright, thanks. lol

 

[beblondie]

On a normal healthy senegal its body diameter should be roughly the same as its head.-Anne

juveniles are often seen with bigger heads than bodies this is normal as they mature

 

[King-eL]

Most senegals at the store are on the skinny side. You would be very lucky if you find one that is chunky.

Pic below is a senegal being way too fat.

I think this one is a nice healthy looking sene. I've seen them in some tank even way too fat.

 

[King-eL]

Healthy male should look like this
13"+ long male

Healthy female should look like this
11" long female

 

[CDickes1988]

Pic below is a senegal being way too fat.

If thats too fat, I must be overfeeding my sen... Tbh he looks healthy though in my opinion. A lot better than the twig he used to be when I bought him.

 

[Stump]

What are you guys feeding yours? What should I consider getting as a staple?


I am hoping to ween them on to Ken's Premium Growth Pellets, and maybe his Earthworm sticks. If they like nightcrawlers, I have them nearly year round. What else should I consider?