Anyone have any experience keeping multiple Lepidosiren together? I am wondering if it would be possible, as they are much less aggressive than the african species.
Multiple SALs?
- Thread starter SimonL
- Start date
Good Question, I don't know the answer. But I'm sure that if they had a big enough tank, it should work out. They're so easy to get along with other tank mates, as long as they don't fit in its mouth!
i've talked to oddball (phil) about this in the past, and from what i recall, other than during spawning, it's not good to keep multiple large SALs together as they may kill each other.
when young i have seen it done by a couple people, but all of them reported nipped fins and moderate aggression. i think the good rule of thumb (really with any lungfish species) is to keep them separated in order to maintain the best condition of the animal. obviously large public aquariums can afford to keep multiple individuals together (like Shedd Aquarium with their AULs) but this sort of thing isnt possible for most private hobbyists--
--solomon
when young i have seen it done by a couple people, but all of them reported nipped fins and moderate aggression. i think the good rule of thumb (really with any lungfish species) is to keep them separated in order to maintain the best condition of the animal. obviously large public aquariums can afford to keep multiple individuals together (like Shedd Aquarium with their AULs) but this sort of thing isnt possible for most private hobbyists--
--solomon
As for questions, feel free to ask me. I have what is probably the largest lungfish collection in the country (I am very interested in hearing of other large collections) The number is now over 30, and soon to be close to 40, next week.
As for the question about keeping SAL's together... the answer is a sound YES, THANK GOD!!!! You WILL get some nipped fins (unless if you are a fairly heavy feeder - meaning regular daily feedings) then you won't be seeing much of that even.
This is true for SAL's from 2 inch to 16 inches. They can be kept in groups of 2, to 15. And as for my comment about 2 to 16 inches. That is only because my largest ones are not yet past that size mark (SAL's anyway) but there are photos of adult SAL's living together quite comfortably on another forum.
So, the answer is an "eat your hearts out YES" but just do not try it with any of the African species.
As for the question about keeping SAL's together... the answer is a sound YES, THANK GOD!!!! You WILL get some nipped fins (unless if you are a fairly heavy feeder - meaning regular daily feedings) then you won't be seeing much of that even.
This is true for SAL's from 2 inch to 16 inches. They can be kept in groups of 2, to 15. And as for my comment about 2 to 16 inches. That is only because my largest ones are not yet past that size mark (SAL's anyway) but there are photos of adult SAL's living together quite comfortably on another forum.
So, the answer is an "eat your hearts out YES" but just do not try it with any of the African species.
santoury;682872; said:
i would still keep in mind that principle of variation on the individual basis. it may work for many, but can be tragic if it doesnt work in one particular case. keep a close eye if you try it.
another member (i believe it was tetrapod) kept four young SALs together and most of their finnage was nipped off by all but dominating individuals.
again, phil (oddball) made it clear to me in his captive spawning of the SAL that it was important to separate them because the male would indeed kill the female.
and just as a bit of addtional info, i would add that SALs and AULs...although the more docile species of lungfishes, don't seem to get along very well together...if you ever decide to try this, give them A LOT of space. my SAL lunged at my AUL after an extended introduction to the tank, and was promptly removed
----solomon
Solomon - your observation is interesting - I have yet to see the aggressive tendencies in the SAL's except for a few nipped fins here and there, which greatly reduces with more food. I'd love to hear more experiences here. He is also right that individuals vary... I find annectens much more variable in behavior, actually, myself.
It's not simply a matter of feeding. When my SALs passed the 4ft mark, they displayed overt territoriality behaviors. Other fish were pushed into clearing out of areas as large as 6ft in diameter every spring.
My spawn occurred with a male in a 12ft pool and a female introduced in a hatchery basket. The male became extremely agitated with the female's introduction and he attacked the basket for several hours. After a few days of random snipes at the basket, his behavior changed and he began pitting the substrate at the rear of his pool. When I could observe no further attacks towards the female, I assumed (no lab evidence) that enough of the females chemical triggers were in the water to pacify the male enough for her release. Spawning began almost immediately upon her release with the male pressing against and directing the female towards the nest. Spawning continued until early the following morning after which the male attacked and took several chunks out of the female in his mission to remove the female from the nesting area. Once the female was removed (to a hospital tank), the male stayed near the nest, making frequent patrols around its perimeter.
My spawn occurred with a male in a 12ft pool and a female introduced in a hatchery basket. The male became extremely agitated with the female's introduction and he attacked the basket for several hours. After a few days of random snipes at the basket, his behavior changed and he began pitting the substrate at the rear of his pool. When I could observe no further attacks towards the female, I assumed (no lab evidence) that enough of the females chemical triggers were in the water to pacify the male enough for her release. Spawning began almost immediately upon her release with the male pressing against and directing the female towards the nest. Spawning continued until early the following morning after which the male attacked and took several chunks out of the female in his mission to remove the female from the nesting area. Once the female was removed (to a hospital tank), the male stayed near the nest, making frequent patrols around its perimeter.
Oddball - love your observations! Exactly the stuff I've been looking for. Do you still keep them? If so, why aren't you continuing to breed them? (Or are you?) -Maybe reduce the strains on the Peruvian population? I regret to say that every one of mine is direct from Peru through one way or another. My aim is to significantly reduce the wild collecting. It's always sad hearing about the import boxes that contain 80 babies apiece. Has anyone studied ANY lungfish in the wild (other than the Australian, of course.)
Best, Jude
Best, Jude
I have several SALs that I'm growing out. I'm hoping to be able to get another spawning but, it'll be a while since I bought a load of 5 inchers. They're all over a foot now and in separate tanks. They were together until they reached about 8" and I started seeing nips taken out of one another. I had to sell my breeding pair due to being transferred back to sea duty (retired Navy).
It should be noted that my male's first pitting ended before he finished the nest area. I believed that the playground sand didn't conform to some instinctual standard within the male. When I cleaned the sand out and replaced it with sterilized stream bed loam/leaves/sticks, he completed the pitting and allowed the eventual introduction of the female to the nesting site.