How predatory are ornate bichir?

[anzo1993]

Hey I was just wondering if anyone had any experience mixing large ornate bichir with smaller cichlids ( about 3.5 inch) , I have a friend getting a rid of a few red terrors of about 3- 3.5 inches , the problem is the only available tank I have is a 4 ft 120 gallon that has a 15 inch ornate bichir living in it, I was just wondering if it would be safe to put in the red terrors with him or will they be a quick snack ?

 

[tlindsey]

Hey I was just wondering if anyone had any experience mixing large ornate bichir with smaller cichlids ( about 3.5 inch) , I have a friend getting a rid of a few red terrors of about 3- 3.5 inches , the problem is the only available tank I have is a 4 ft 120 gallon that has a 15 inch ornate bichir living in it, I was just wondering if it would be safe to put in the red terrors with him or will they be a quick snack ?

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It will be risky all Polypterus species are opportunistic predators. If it can fit in the Ornate's mouth it maybe eaten.

 

[anzo1993]

It will be risky all Polypterus species are opportunistic predators. If it can fit in the Ornate's mouth it will be eaten.

Thanks for the advice, I figured if he gets the chance he might try his luck

 

[tlindsey]

Thanks for the advice, I figured if he gets the chance he might try his luck

I wouldn't recommend putting larger aggressive Cichlids with Polypterus because they don't defend themselves.

 

[anzo1993]

I wouldn't recommend putting larger aggressive Cichlids with Polypterus because they don't defend themselves.

Yeah usually I’ll only put polys with young aggressive cichlids or large more passive cichlids

 

[Potato Patatto]

I wouldn't recommend putting larger aggressive Cichlids with Polypterus because they don't defend themselves.

I agree my 9 inch endli just swims away when my pike attacks him after getting too close. But at 15 inches to 3-4 inches I don’t know if he’ll have that issue in the short term.

 

[Magnus_Bane]

My ornate must've been an odd ball then. Mine wouldn't eat small fish unless it was dead and even then it was a toss up on whether or not he'd refuse it. He also didn't like my catfish and would constantly bully them out of their hiding spots. He basically figured out the catfish don't like his rough skin so he would either lay ontop of em or under their belly, but either way the catfish would get upset and eventually throw it's temper tantrum and swim away.

 

[tlindsey]

My ornate must've been an odd ball then. Mine wouldn't eat small fish unless it was dead and even then it was a toss up on whether or not he'd refuse it. He also didn't like my catfish and would constantly bully them out of their hiding spots. He basically figured out the catfish don't like his rough skin so he would either lay ontop of em or under their belly, but either way the catfish would get upset and eventually throw it's temper tantrum and swim away.

I had 3 female Ornate's and the largest would push around the other poly's who got near a corner she claimed. The Ornate would only allow a Purple Ery Wolfish that flared at her stay near her lol. I worried many times the Wolfish would attack the Ornate.

 

[clm08k]

I wouldn't recommend putting larger aggressive Cichlids with Polypterus because they don't defend themselves.

agreed. Aggression might not be an issue now, but adult red terrors often live up to their name... Personally, I wouldn't risk it.

 

[clm08k]

P.S. your ornate is a stunner! Very nice coloration too!