ID this poly please

[ctoychik]

Hi Poly Experts,

I have only one bichir. From reading the stickies and various posts. I came to conclusion that my bichir is either:

- cognicus
- delhezi
- endelicheri

Please confirm so that i can correctly refer to him.

Had him for couple of months now. It is ~10" not gaining girth though - kinda elongated. Survivor and negotiator cos the paimas, jars and silver left him alone. Love feeders (cos they come to him lol) but accepts crickets

PS: they are not even labeled if LFS. They are just bichir (albino or tiger)

 

[Loubard]

Endlicheri endlicheri

 

[Lupin]

Endlicheri endlicheri

How much did you pay for it if it was labeled only as 'bichir'?

 

[ctoychik]

Thanks ^^ how did you figure it is endlicheri endlicheri and not endlicheri congicus? I understood from various infos and threads that the later one is the large variety.

How big can i expect my endlicheri endlicheri to get? This is most depressing not large enough to be safe while it is being eyed as food by its current tank mates yet too dangerous for my barb/swordtail tank... most depressing

 

[beblondie]

Polypterus Endlicheri endlicheri

 

[ctoychik]

Errrr, mine looks just like the one in http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175914

Errr mine has 11 small fin thingies (not counting the big tail) if that helps.

So, even if it is Endlicheri endlicheri, how big can i expect him to become one day?

 

[flamenco-t]

Most endlies have between 10-12 dorsal finlets. Congicus have 11-13. It's pretty close, I can usually tell by marking.

Yours is defintiely an endlie NOT a congicus

 

[ctoychik]

Most endlies have between 10-12 dorsal finlets. Congicus have 11-13. It's pretty close, I can usually tell by marking.

Yours is defintiely an endlie NOT a congicus

So what can i expect in terms of max size? i hope it is big (better yet HUGE)

 

[ctoychik]

According to practical fishkeeping http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=110

Congius is much larger than endlicheri endlicheri ... after seeing pics, i can not tell the difference (may be except in the marking on the front fins)

What i should be looking for in terms of difference? If i am gonna get a cognicus then i must be able to tell them appart.... And no i do not want a senegalese one (even though quite large but the coloration is wayyyy to bland)

 

[Infblue]

senegalus is actually pretty small...about 10"-12" max in captivity.

P. endli. endli. will typically get to 18"-24" in captivity. which end of the spectrum depends on the genes, food, fish's appetite, environment etc, as well as it'll take some time.

even for a congicus, its growth and eventual size depend on the same factors as well. if everything is good, you can expect 24"-30", but it'll take a while...