Hey All,
I'm new on MFK and love the Polypterus threads! Tons of useful information.
I currently have a 30 gal tank, in it an Ornate (Polypterus ornatipinnis), a Ctenopoma, 3 glass catfish and it is heavily planted with driftwood as well. My Bichir seems to be doing very well and is now about 7.5 inches and I have acquired a free 80 gal.
My setup now has a 60 gal hang filter, a heater kept around 75-80F, all live plants and some river wood (purchased and cleaned). The substrate is medium and small gravel mixed in together. I have had the setup up for about 11 months. I do 1/3 of total water changes every 3 weeks and use cycle to keep a healthy balance. I have never had any health issues as of yet.
I feed my Bichir ghost shrimp (live), tubifex worms (live), blood worms (frozen), brine shrimp (frozen), Hikiari sinking carnivore pellets, the occasional feeder guppy, and occasional cricket (intended for my asian water dragon but he shares
). I have learned a lot on the site and greatly appreciate any more advice.
So why am I telling you all of this? Well just to get some input on how to run the 80 gal. I would like to set up more of a community in the tank but don't want to lose all of the fish or stress the Bichir. He ate my African Leaffish (Polycentropsis abbreviata) recently that was an excellent specimen and was wondering if anyone had advice on good tank mates as well as good inverts. The bichir ended up eating 2 breeding singapore shrimp, 3 mystery snails, and a freshwater clam. I expected this all to happen as I had them first and once I saw the Bichir just HAD to get him. Ohhh sacrifices for what we love!
Anyway thanks for any input and I'll throw pictures up as I get them.
I'm new on MFK and love the Polypterus threads! Tons of useful information.
I currently have a 30 gal tank, in it an Ornate (Polypterus ornatipinnis), a Ctenopoma, 3 glass catfish and it is heavily planted with driftwood as well. My Bichir seems to be doing very well and is now about 7.5 inches and I have acquired a free 80 gal.
My setup now has a 60 gal hang filter, a heater kept around 75-80F, all live plants and some river wood (purchased and cleaned). The substrate is medium and small gravel mixed in together. I have had the setup up for about 11 months. I do 1/3 of total water changes every 3 weeks and use cycle to keep a healthy balance. I have never had any health issues as of yet.
I feed my Bichir ghost shrimp (live), tubifex worms (live), blood worms (frozen), brine shrimp (frozen), Hikiari sinking carnivore pellets, the occasional feeder guppy, and occasional cricket (intended for my asian water dragon but he shares
). I have learned a lot on the site and greatly appreciate any more advice.So why am I telling you all of this? Well just to get some input on how to run the 80 gal. I would like to set up more of a community in the tank but don't want to lose all of the fish or stress the Bichir. He ate my African Leaffish (Polycentropsis abbreviata) recently that was an excellent specimen and was wondering if anyone had advice on good tank mates as well as good inverts. The bichir ended up eating 2 breeding singapore shrimp, 3 mystery snails, and a freshwater clam. I expected this all to happen as I had them first and once I saw the Bichir just HAD to get him. Ohhh sacrifices for what we love!
Anyway thanks for any input and I'll throw pictures up as I get them.
