Is a Polypterus senegalus feasible for me?

[Wiggles92]

So I was thinking of getting a Polypterus senegalus for the fish tank I intend on getting for college; the only problem is that I am limited to a 20 gallon tank which is way to small for an adult bichir of any kind (as far as I know).

I read the sticky and the minimum dimensions are 36" x 12"x 16", but the water depth only needs to be 8" to 12". The minimum has a bottom area of 432 sq. in.

Would a DIY tank that fits the 20 gallon requirement for the college and has a similar floor plan of the minimum but with a much smaller height work?

I was thinking maybe 33" x 14" x 10"; this gives me 20.03 gallons unfilled with a bottom area of 462 sq. in., and I would fill it to have 8" of water.

Opinions and advice please.

Thanks.

 

[uting]

its ok. but it depends on you if you think your tank is over stocked like I think an aro will be good in a 100g but the others say 250g will be the absolute minimum.

 

[Wiggles92]

Hmm... so if he looks too big for the tank upgrade. Anyone else have any tips?

 

[davcheng]

it sounds ok to me. the length is about the same as a 40g breeder, and the width is larger than a standard 55 gal which people put sens in. the footprint seems right, but at 20 gallons, you're gonna be looking at some major filtering power thats needed for a polypterus. what are your plans to filter it?

also, make sure you have a top. they jump.

 

[Wiggles92]

I planned on a top; I'd probably get a filter rated for at least double the capacity, most likely 4 times the capacity if I can find one at a good price. So filtering will be the main issue here then?

 

[packer43064]

I planned on a top; I'd probably get a filter rated for at least double the capacity, most likely 4 times the capacity if I can find one at a good price. So filtering will be the main issue here then?

Yep and weekly 50% water changes and you will be set.

Also get a smaller one, Petsmarts carry little 3 inchers, that way he will be able to live there longer than getting a 6 inch one to start with.

 

[Wiggles92]

Ok, so 50% water changes weekly.

I planned on getting a small one, but will it be able to live in the mentioned tank for life?

 

[davcheng]

i believe so. you could always get a bigger tank when you're out of college. given proper care, your senegalus should still be alive and kicking after 4 years.

going bare bottom could also help assist you in cleaning up the poo. you could opt to do daily 5g water changes and suck up the poo to keep the water extra clean. bare bottom also helps when you move the tank say for winter break/summer break and stuff. less stuff to move = easier move. its why i have my poly tank bare botton.

 

[Wiggles92]

Ok, so bare bottom will make it easier to keep clean and move. I'm on quarters (not semesters), so I will have smaller breaks, but that would mean I would probably only have to move the tank for summer break since the winter break is less than two weeks.

What is the average growth rate of a senegalus?

 

[packer43064]

i believe so. you could always get a bigger tank when you're out of college. given proper care, your senegalus should still be alive and kicking after 4 years.

going bare bottom could also help assist you in cleaning up the poo. you could opt to do daily 5g water changes and suck up the poo to keep the water extra clean. bare bottom also helps when you move the tank say for winter break/summer break and stuff. less stuff to move = easier move. its why i have my poly tank bare botton.

That's what I was thinking, you won't be in college forever. BB tanks are way easy to keep care of.

Just get a nitrate test and check once the tank is up for awhile and see what they are after a week and if high(over 40ppm), do more WC's or like davcheng said do 5g gravel vac water changes daily. I think it should be fine though, not the best tank ever, but not nearly the worse I've seen or heard of.