Looking for some advice from your experience - endlicheri

[Red Beard]

Hi,
I've recently purchased a Polypterus endlicheri which I will be receiving in about a months time. I live on an island and it's in the state at my fish dealers business but can't be delivered to me until the genus is added to the 'permissible fish list', which it has been confirmed as being but I still have to wait for its publication (the joys huh). This dealer is legit, I've gotten fish for my other tanks from them (L600, L333's etc)
I understand it is currently 12cm, about 5 inches.
The plan is to get (order) another couple of endlicheri, or perhaps a senegal as well.

I'm basically fishing for opinions on what is generally recommended size differences you would feel comfortable adding together to avoid cannibalism or any sort of avoidable behaviour.

Apologies if I sound naive, because that's exactly what I am when it comes to these fish. Believe it or not I've done a lot of research but maybe I just missed the answer to this question?

I'm semi experienced in a fair few fish types but not at all with these guys unfortunately.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

I would be worried about a sen being lower than half the size of the endli

 

[Red Beard]

Thanks for the reply,
If the endlicheri were varying sizes, how much of a gap would you think is too risky?

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

same thing as with the Senegal’s less than half the length I wouldn’t keep them together. When the endlis are full grown they could probably eat a full grown sen. Many people have success keeping different sized bichirs together, hopefully some of them chip in soon

 

[Caveden]

same thing as with the Senegal’s less than half the length I wouldn’t keep them together. When the endlis are full grown they could probably eat a full grown sen. Many people have success keeping different sized bichirs together, hopefully some of them chip in soon

I dont think a endlicheri can eat a Senegal full grown, but I do agree when they are young it shouldn’t be half the length or smaller. Endlicheri are known to be cannibalistic when young

 

[tlindsey]

I personally made the mistake of putting 2 juvenile Senegals with a larger Endlicheri and larger Ornates. I believe the Endlicheri ate them no bodies on the floor and bulging stomach of the Endlicheri.

 

[Caveden]

I personally made the mistake of putting 2 juvenile Senegals with a larger Endlicheri and larger Ornates. I believe the Endlicheri ate them no bodies on the floor and bulging stomach of the Endlicheri.

Ouch HAHAHAHAHA

 

[Red Beard]

Thank you for your feedback everyone, I'm very grateful.

So I'm getting the idea that if I get a couple more Endlicheri, as long as they're 3/4 the size of the largest I 'should' be ok.