How powerful is the bite of a Polypterus? (If it depends on the species, amend the question to Polypterus senegalus)
I was just watching my Poly stalk a goldfish and bite it. Unfortunately, the fish turned out to be a little too big for the Poly to swallow so it went off and ate a different fish instead. However, the first fish it attacked was very injured by the bite. It appeared to have had it's spine broken, as it's body was doubled over and incapable of moving into another position. The fish could still swish it's tail and the fins on one side a little bit, but nothing else. I took it out and gave it to my crays so it wasn't lingering.
But it really made me wonder about the power in that little Poly's bite and uh, slightly paranoid for the next time I need to vacuum the substrate in my tank. It likes to investigate my hand and the vacuum at little too intently, hah. But really, is it really a strong bite or are goldfish's bones that easy to break?
I was just watching my Poly stalk a goldfish and bite it. Unfortunately, the fish turned out to be a little too big for the Poly to swallow so it went off and ate a different fish instead. However, the first fish it attacked was very injured by the bite. It appeared to have had it's spine broken, as it's body was doubled over and incapable of moving into another position. The fish could still swish it's tail and the fins on one side a little bit, but nothing else. I took it out and gave it to my crays so it wasn't lingering.
But it really made me wonder about the power in that little Poly's bite and uh, slightly paranoid for the next time I need to vacuum the substrate in my tank. It likes to investigate my hand and the vacuum at little too intently, hah. But really, is it really a strong bite or are goldfish's bones that easy to break?
