I was at an lfs yestereday and saw some big-ass senegals. There were 2 of them, both probably around 11-12". I've never seen them this big in person. I'm very tempted to bring them home but I'm worried that these beasts might do some damage to my other bichirs. I already have a 7" senegal an 8" lapradei and am thinking about moving my 5" endlicheri into my big tank. What do you guys think?
huge senegals at lfs
- Thread starter the_deeb
- Start date
as long as you have good hiding spots everything will take care of itself, goodluck and go get the big boys!!!!
I don't think there should be a problem with you adding them in. Senegals are generally mild mannered bichirs but just watch out for any aggression just in case.
dont u dare pass it up if u have the space!!!!!!! they will be fine, just a little territorial at first.
Ok, you guys have convinced me - if they're still at the store I'll grab them.
I wasn't worried about aggression as much as appetite - I feel like a thick, foot-long senegal could inhale a 5" endlicheri if it really wanted to. I never feed any of my fish feeders, which I really think helps to curb their predatory instincts but I think the lfs has been feeding those brutes goldfish exclusively. Oh well, I'll just keep a careful eye on them.
I wasn't worried about aggression as much as appetite - I feel like a thick, foot-long senegal could inhale a 5" endlicheri if it really wanted to. I never feed any of my fish feeders, which I really think helps to curb their predatory instincts but I think the lfs has been feeding those brutes goldfish exclusively. Oh well, I'll just keep a careful eye on them.
Well I finally got around to picking up those big-ass senegals. They're pretty awesome but I might have initially overestimated the size a little. Still, they're definitely a good 10", maybe 11" and nice and fat. I'll try and post some pics soon.
There is one problem though: these are the first bichirs I've ever had that have refused market shrimp. This is what I feed all my other bichirs and they've all taken it during acclimation without hesitation. It's been a few days now and these guys still ignore it. Plus, whereas all my other bichirs eat from hands these guys are terrified and swim away the moment my arm goes in the tank.
Any ideas for getting them to eat? They were being fed goldfish exclusively at the lfs which I don't want to do (plus they probably won't be able to catch them - I have lots of other fish in the tank that would probably get them first).
There is one problem though: these are the first bichirs I've ever had that have refused market shrimp. This is what I feed all my other bichirs and they've all taken it during acclimation without hesitation. It's been a few days now and these guys still ignore it. Plus, whereas all my other bichirs eat from hands these guys are terrified and swim away the moment my arm goes in the tank.
Any ideas for getting them to eat? They were being fed goldfish exclusively at the lfs which I don't want to do (plus they probably won't be able to catch them - I have lots of other fish in the tank that would probably get them first).
when they get hungry they'll eat....and bichirs can go a long time without eating, and yours are fat, which is a bonus.
most of my bichirs are skittish as hell, so don't worry about the handfeeding thing.
EDIT: yeah as stiffmeister (below) said, you can also try other food. e.g. fish fillet (my bichirs prefer this over shrimp), my bichirs also love hikari sinking carnivore pellets. and earthworm is a big hit with bichirs too.
most of my bichirs are skittish as hell, so don't worry about the handfeeding thing.
EDIT: yeah as stiffmeister (below) said, you can also try other food. e.g. fish fillet (my bichirs prefer this over shrimp), my bichirs also love hikari sinking carnivore pellets. and earthworm is a big hit with bichirs too.
agree on the hand feeding, mine don't dare to come close when i start feeding. i would try regular pellets and worms if you really want them to eat. like Infblue said, they can go without food for a long time so i wouldn't be worried, but if you like, just try regular pellets (sinking). my polys love that stuff, in fact they rather seem to eat pellets than anything else!