Just picked up this new lap(?)

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Aw3s0m3

Aw3s0m3

Piranha
MFK Member
May 6, 2012
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Over there
I'm just starting my bichir collection so when I saw this guy in a tank full of senegals, I had to grab him. I believe it is a lap, but I'm no expert. He's pretty underweight so I need to beef him up a bit, but for the price the lady offered to me, I couldn't say no. I'm pretty stoked on him because he is the first lap I've ever seen. I only see senegals, endli's, ornates and delhezi's at my lfs'. I'll try and keep everyone updated on how he does.

 
Lapradei are one of my favorite bichirs. They are almost the same as pbb, they get big, have similar color and pattern, just slightly different headshapes/head pattern. They also vary slightly on dorsal fin counts, head measurements, and all that other nerd stuff.

Sadly, I don't think your laps will look it's best in that tank. Switch to either black sand or garnet sand, to see it's full potential. Even at that size, it will show beautiful dark olive green and beige patterns, like a mini pbb.

What store in OC did you get it from?
 
Cohazard said:
Lapradei are one of my favorite bichirs. They are almost the same as pbb, they get big, have similar color and pattern, just slightly different headshapes/head pattern. They also vary slightly on dorsal fin counts, head measurements, and all that other nerd stuff.

Sadly, I don't think your laps will look it's best in that tank. Switch to either black sand or garnet sand, to see it's full potential. Even at that size, it will show beautiful dark olive green and beige patterns, like a mini pbb.

What store in OC did you get it from?
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Some random hole in the wall shop in Westminster called Fishwarehouse, I think.It was my first time there. I was looking for some payara and someone on this site said he saw some there and I went to check it out and then I saw this guy. I didn't know they were cash only so I only had enough for this guy and I'm gonna go back tomorrow to snag the payara's.
Also, I am planning on putting black sand in there. I'm just siphoning out a little bit of sand at a time whenever I do water changes. So am I correct in assuming that it's a lap?

Good news though! He's already eating! He's about 7" long and he ate a whole shrimp and a piece of tilapia. Should I feed him as much as he can eat or just give him a little at a time since he's pretty skinny. Also, how do I get them on to massivore? I want to throw them in the diet as well but my endli doesn't care for them.
 
Yes it is 100% lapradei, and judging by the pattern that's already showing, a nice one.

I would feed as much as it can eat. It's belly will bulge and look awkward, but I don't think the fish will care. If it eats, that's a good thing.

Training them onto pellets should come later, first fatten it up with the food it currently likes.

Once it's settled in and at a healthier girth, then stop feeding it entirely for two days. This will not harm the fish, but will make it hungry.

Try adding just one massivore pellet. They have highly sensitive olfactory organs and will find that one pellet. They may just sniff it and swim away, if they do, take the pellet out quick because massivore makes your water stink when not eaten.

Try again in 24hrs. Repeat that until the fish starts taking bites at the pellet, but eventually it will breakdown from hunger and just eat the pellets. They are resilient fish and I've had WC fish go weeks without eating and they were just fine, they bounced back amazingly once they started eating.

I've never known a bichir to starve itself to death.
 
Man I can't tell you how awesome it feels when you raise a bichir from a smaller size into a monster. I have some baby endlis growing out right now that I'm looking forward too.

Keep your endli well fed, and he probably won't mess with this guy. Maybe a few nipped fins or tail, those will regrow. My new guys were fighting last couple days but have settled who is tank boss and are now peacefully co-existing.

Best of luck with your lapradei!
 
Cohazard said:
Man I can't tell you how awesome it feels when you raise a bichir from a smaller size into a monster. I have some baby endlis growing out right now that I'm looking forward too.

Keep your endli well fed, and he probably won't mess with this guy. Maybe a few nipped fins or tail, those will regrow. My new guys were fighting last couple days but have settled who is tank boss and are now peacefully co-existing.

Best of luck with your lapradei!
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I'm in the process of getting that feeling right now! I have a baby endli, senegal and delhezi in a 40g right now that I just got a couple weeks ago. Can't wait till they're big enough to join these guys in the 150g!
 
What are you feeding the babies? Tilapia and massivore, and weekly 60-80% water changes makes them grow fast!
 
Cohazard said:
What are you feeding the babies? Tilapia and massivore, and weekly 60-80% water changes makes them grow fast!
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Just bloodworms and mysis shrimp right now. I've tried massivore but they don't even try to look for it. Will the advice you gave me earlier work for the babies too? I'm just worried cuz they're so small that going without food might harm them. I've been meaning to try tilapia with them but I've been too lazy to chop the filets so small. These guys are only like 1-1/2" except the Senegal. He's been growing pretty fast and is close to 3" right now


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