My first Polypterus Senegalus

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Vcygnus1

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jul 29, 2005
147
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16
THE 850
I had an empty 55 that just finished cycling, so.. I went to my LFS and guess what they had a dragon eel! Immediatly I knew it wasn't an eel but a bichir but wasn't sure what type so I got him and a black ghost knife. So I got home and they both eat Live brine shrimp,bloodworms and the usual foods. I am glad to finally have my own little "monster fish". :grinno:


P.S. the ghost is about 4 inches and the bichir is about 5
 
Congratulations on the pickup!

The 'dinosaur eel' is indeed Polypterus senegalus. They are generally a very active species of bichir and will max out at about 12 inches and live in excess of 20 years. It should get along reasonably well with your Black Ghost Knife.

-Joe
 
"dinosaur eel" "dragon eel" - why do they think they have to give stupid names to sell it?
 
The ghost and bichir share an area witch(sp?) is secluded by driftwood. It is cool watching them interact. The ghost knows where the bichir is and follows him but when food hits the water the ghost leads the bichir.

Also what tankmates would be suitable that I can keep long term?

And the people name them eels so people respond to them. Would you, just starting out in the hobby buy something called Polypterus Senegalus as your first fish for your ten?LOL
 
Both fish grow very large...the black knife growing larger then the bicher. I personally would not keep the ghost in a 55g. I suppose you could always eat it if it got to large, thats what at least a few members seem to do. Or kill it is some other manner.
 
''Also what tankmates would be suitable that I can keep long term?
heres the 2 qualifiers to your question
non agressive
and big enough not to be eaten
Tankmates will also depend on the size of your tank but here are some possibilities
Tankmates
Below is a partial list of possible tankmates for the small to midsized bichirs species.Parameters I used are based on size, temperment and availabilty . And i believe is a good starting point for you to do further research before purchasing -Anne
CATFISH
Dusky Pimelodid-Pimelodus blochii
Giraffe Catfish-Auchenoglanis occidentalis
Dwarf giraffe Catfish-Parauchenoglanis macrostoma
Giant Whiptail Catfish-Sturisoma aureum
Synodontis alberti
Synodontis angelicus
Synodontis pleurops
Synodontis decorus
Synodontis eupterus
Synodontis notatus
Synodontis brichardi
Synodontis nigrita
Synodontis flavitaeniata
Synodontis soloni
Liver Catfish-Heteropneustes fossilis
Black Lancer-Bagrichthys hypselopterus
PLECOS
Bristlenose-Ancistrus dolichopterus
CHARACINS
Silver dollar-Metynnis argenteus
Distichodus notospilus-Distichodus notospilus
Congo tetra-Phenacogrammus interruptus
Black-Barred Myleus-Myleus schomburgki
Filament tetra-Bryconaethiop microstoma
EELS
Peacock Eel- Macrognathus aculeatus
CICHLIDS *(see note)
Two-Spot Cichlid-Cichlasoma bimaculatum
Tilapia joka-Tilapia joka
Oscar-Astronotus ocellatus
Severum-Cichlasoma severum
Kribensis- Pelvicachromis pulcher
Sparkling Earth Eater-Satanoperca acuticeps
Blue acara-Aequidens pulchrus
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Blood Parrot Cichlid-Hybrid no scientifc name
Blue-Eye Cichlid-Cichlasoma spilurum
Festivum-Mesonauta festivus
African Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara nyassae
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Bandit Cichlid-Aequidens geayi
Blockhead Cichlid-Steatocranus casuarius
Callolepis Cichlid-Cichlasoma callolepis
Freiberg's Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
Keyhole Cichlid-Cleithracara maronii
Port Acara-Aequidens portalegrensis
Uaru- Uaru amphicanthiodes
LABYRINTH FISHES
Ctenopoma .acutirostre-Ctenopoma .acutirostre
Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus-Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus
Ctenopoma kingsleyae-Ctenopoma kingsleyae
CYPRINIDS
Variegated Shark-Labeo variegatus
Bala Shark-Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Red-Finned Cigar Shark-Leptobarbus hoevenii
Tinfoil Barb-Barbodes schwanefeldii
Chinese Algae Eater-Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Clown Loach-Botia macracantha
MISC.
African mudfish-Phractolaemus ansorgei
Black Ghost Knifefish -Apteronotus albifrons
Elephantnose-Gnathonemus petersii
African butterfly-Pantondon bucholzi
African Knifefish-Xenomystus nigri
hope that helps -Anne
 
i'd pick tankmates that would occupy the middle and upper part of your tank and wouldn't bug the senegalus and the bgk. something like a small group of spotted silver dollars (Metynnis maculatus) or pink tailed chalceus (Chalceus macrolepidotus), or even the new barb Puntius denisonii (they grow to 7").
 
Vcygnus1 said:
The ghost and bichir share an area witch(sp?) is secluded by driftwood. It is cool watching them interact. The ghost knows where the bichir is and follows him but when food hits the water the ghost leads the bichir.

Also what tankmates would be suitable that I can keep long term?

And the people name them eels so people respond to them. Would you, just starting out in the hobby buy something called Polypterus Senegalus as your first fish for your ten?LOL
Click to expand...

thats cool, congrats on getting a senegal =)

since they are bottom feeders, keep fishes that are either middle or top dwellers.

for middle, there is the siamese tigers
for top u can get a arowana, a sliver would be nice since USA doesnt allow asians.

so you can have a tank of dragons and tigers! cool?!
 
beblondie said:
''Also what tankmates would be suitable that I can keep long term?
heres the 2 qualifiers to your question
non agressive
and big enough not to be eaten
Tankmates will also depend on the size of your tank but here are some possibilities
Tankmates
Below is a partial list of possible tankmates for the small to midsized bichirs species.Parameters I used are based on size, temperment and availabilty . And i believe is a good starting point for you to do further research before purchasing -Anne
CATFISH
Dusky Pimelodid-Pimelodus blochii
Giraffe Catfish-Auchenoglanis occidentalis
Dwarf giraffe Catfish-Parauchenoglanis macrostoma
Giant Whiptail Catfish-Sturisoma aureum
Synodontis alberti
Synodontis angelicus
Synodontis pleurops
Synodontis decorus
Synodontis eupterus
Synodontis notatus
Synodontis brichardi
Synodontis nigrita
Synodontis flavitaeniata
Synodontis soloni
Liver Catfish-Heteropneustes fossilis
Black Lancer-Bagrichthys hypselopterus
PLECOS
Bristlenose-Ancistrus dolichopterus
CHARACINS
Silver dollar-Metynnis argenteus
Distichodus notospilus-Distichodus notospilus
Congo tetra-Phenacogrammus interruptus
Black-Barred Myleus-Myleus schomburgki
Filament tetra-Bryconaethiop microstoma
EELS
Peacock Eel- Macrognathus aculeatus
CICHLIDS *(see note)
Two-Spot Cichlid-Cichlasoma bimaculatum
Tilapia joka-Tilapia joka
Oscar-Astronotus ocellatus
Severum-Cichlasoma severum
Kribensis- Pelvicachromis pulcher
Sparkling Earth Eater-Satanoperca acuticeps
Blue acara-Aequidens pulchrus
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Blood Parrot Cichlid-Hybrid no scientifc name
Blue-Eye Cichlid-Cichlasoma spilurum
Festivum-Mesonauta festivus
African Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara nyassae
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Bandit Cichlid-Aequidens geayi
Blockhead Cichlid-Steatocranus casuarius
Callolepis Cichlid-Cichlasoma callolepis
Freiberg's Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
Keyhole Cichlid-Cleithracara maronii
Port Acara-Aequidens portalegrensis
Uaru- Uaru amphicanthiodes
LABYRINTH FISHES
Ctenopoma .acutirostre-Ctenopoma .acutirostre
Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus-Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus
Ctenopoma kingsleyae-Ctenopoma kingsleyae
CYPRINIDS
Variegated Shark-Labeo variegatus
Bala Shark-Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Red-Finned Cigar Shark-Leptobarbus hoevenii
Tinfoil Barb-Barbodes schwanefeldii
Chinese Algae Eater-Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Clown Loach-Botia macracantha
MISC.
African mudfish-Phractolaemus ansorgei
Black Ghost Knifefish -Apteronotus albifrons
Elephantnose-Gnathonemus petersii
African butterfly-Pantondon bucholzi
African Knifefish-Xenomystus nigri
hope that helps -Anne
Click to expand...
gd effort!!! :cheers:
 
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