Increasing Birchir Activity?

[Prophet714]

Hello all,

Ive just recently picked up a 9 inch delhezi. He's not active as expected him to be from all the reading about that species being one of the more active ones after the senegal and endis. Is there anything i could do to have him swim around more? he just sits at the bottom of the tank now, even though he swam around a little bit the first couple of days (probably just checkin out the new tank).

I try getting him to swim around and "beg" for food but he doesnt like my datnoid. And all the food i drop, the tinfoil barbs would selfishly take. So Im assumin using food is out the door.

any suggestions? I hope its not too late to raise his activity. and I really hope its not a case of "can't teach an old dog new tricks" any feed back is appreciated

 

[popcorn1]

maybe hes still new? my senegal just floated at the top and sat at the bottom the first day. now he moves around a lot. but thats because mines a senegal.

 

[thefishguy7]

There is no way you can increase his activity. He is what he is and there is no changing that. You can get him active at feeding time by feeding various fillets and massivore. Polypterids really don't swim around and beg, they are inactive bottom dwelling fish. Cichlids are in-your-face, poly's aren't.
He may get more active with age and low light though.

 

[beblondie]

but he doesnt like my datnoid
Why doesn't like it?this could be a big part of the problem

 

[popcorn1]

youre not gonna get your bichir to do any tricks for you. not even eat from your hand. nothing. maybe have him swim around after he smells the food you throw in. but thats all.

 

[Druu]

youre not gonna get your bichir to do any tricks for you. not even eat from your hand. nothing. maybe have him swim around after he smells the food you throw in. but thats all.

Nah, just have patience. My little guy chases my finger.

 

[Cohazard]

I agree with the idea of using lower light levels. What's your setup like? You want to keep the 'resting' areas rather than 'hiding' areas.

I use large pieces of driftwood that give a shaded area where the bichirs can swim in, out, and around, without actually hiding. This gives them a place to feel like they're hiding if something disturbs them.

What do you feed? Raw shrimp makes mine go crazy

 

[beblondie]

Popcorn :I don't know what the problem is your having but all my upper jaw bichirs will take food from my fingers and sometimes my finger but thats neither here nor there
and I had a senegal that seemed to enjoy laying in the palm of my hand.she even used to let me know she wanted something by pulling back on the thermoeter and letting it hit the tank glassand yes she would beg for food.-Anne

 

[Infblue]

palmas polli and senegalus are the two most active in general. endli are actually pretty lazy generally speaking, contrary to what you've heard. And delhezi is semi-active to active depending on individuals. In short, don't be expecting too much necessarily.

Having said that, i agree with the above. perhaps its still settling in. and perhaps its being stressed out by some of the tankmates, or it may be the setup, lighting level etc. Or maybe its just the way it is...

 

[channarox]

all my delhezi are lazy.
only scurraging around the bottom when they feel like it.
my sens and endlis are the most active bichirs in my tank.
but theyll all handfeed.