Ok just keep in mind upgrading for these guys will be a 150 gallon plus tank, they get around 26" and quite fat 
My New Baby: Wden
- Thread starter LancasterK26
- Start date
Hi, Keman here (LancasterK26's b/f). We did work very hard to get the tank ready, I used filter media from an established tank mixed with new media and 100% reverse osmoses filtered water. We ran the system for just over two weeks with constant testing and such. Her Bicher's environment is as perfect as we could create based on information we found on the internet and conversations with our local family owned aquarium store. The filter is a Fluval 306 with modified intake and out flow tubes to allow for a milder current without reducing capacity. The tank is a 55 gallon acrylic.
Questions, I noticed an earlier comment about not using goldfish as feeders. Do they cause any issues for the Ornate Bichir? Should we remove them from his tank? Is it OK if he eats them?? I think he may have eaten two already...
Questions, I noticed an earlier comment about not using goldfish as feeders. Do they cause any issues for the Ornate Bichir? Should we remove them from his tank? Is it OK if he eats them?? I think he may have eaten two already...
Oh ya, I forgot to mention. I have had aquariums most of my life and currently have my own 55gal tank with some less exotic critters like African dwarf frogs, Kouli loches, neons... simple compared to the commitment of the Bicher, but I love my froggies... There are four tanks in the house now, none as complicated as the Bichir tank.
check out this sticky: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...70-Polypterids-an-introduction-and-primer-3-0
Every new polypterus owner should read this, soooo much good info
Every new polypterus owner should read this, soooo much good info
Heres some info on goldy feeders.
"Feeder goldfish is popular among keepers of predatory fishes for several reasons. You should however keep in mind that a diet that consists solely of feeder goldfish can cause some fish species to suffer from malnutrition. Some species also have a tendency to die from “gut blockage” when fed feeder goldfish. The gut blockage is caused by a feeder goldfish cranium that becomes stuck inside the predatory fish and blocks the passage between the stomach and the intestine.
A problem with feeder goldfish is that they can introduce a wide range of problem causing bacteria, virus and parasites to your aquarium. If you purchase feeder goldfish instead of raising your own, you should therefore ideally quarantine and treat them before you add them to your aquarium. Feeder goldfish are often kept in extremely crowded aquariums or ponds, and this places large amount of stress on the fish. It can also be hard to keep the water quality up during such conditions. The stress and poor water condition means that it will be easier for bacteria, virus and parasites to infect the feeder goldfish. Most predators are quite resilient towards sick feeder goldfish, since the germs will be killed in the stomach of the predator. Problems can however develop if your predatory fish does not consume the feeder goldfish as soon as it is placed in the aquarium. The infection will get a chance to grab hold of the aquarium and the predators can eventually become infected."
Also i forgot where i read this so take it with a grain of salt, but they have fat in them which isnt easy for fish to digest and can become either very obese from them or die i forget, but again my memory may or may not serve me right on this one. He want die from eating two but constant feeding of these may be a problem. Ghost shrimp are a much better alternative, but still should be QT.
Also make sure your tank lids have no holes.
Honestly a bichir tank doesnt need to be very complicated, i know mine arent haha
You got any photos? I would love to see some!
"Feeder goldfish is popular among keepers of predatory fishes for several reasons. You should however keep in mind that a diet that consists solely of feeder goldfish can cause some fish species to suffer from malnutrition. Some species also have a tendency to die from “gut blockage” when fed feeder goldfish. The gut blockage is caused by a feeder goldfish cranium that becomes stuck inside the predatory fish and blocks the passage between the stomach and the intestine.
A problem with feeder goldfish is that they can introduce a wide range of problem causing bacteria, virus and parasites to your aquarium. If you purchase feeder goldfish instead of raising your own, you should therefore ideally quarantine and treat them before you add them to your aquarium. Feeder goldfish are often kept in extremely crowded aquariums or ponds, and this places large amount of stress on the fish. It can also be hard to keep the water quality up during such conditions. The stress and poor water condition means that it will be easier for bacteria, virus and parasites to infect the feeder goldfish. Most predators are quite resilient towards sick feeder goldfish, since the germs will be killed in the stomach of the predator. Problems can however develop if your predatory fish does not consume the feeder goldfish as soon as it is placed in the aquarium. The infection will get a chance to grab hold of the aquarium and the predators can eventually become infected."
Also i forgot where i read this so take it with a grain of salt, but they have fat in them which isnt easy for fish to digest and can become either very obese from them or die i forget, but again my memory may or may not serve me right on this one. He want die from eating two but constant feeding of these may be a problem. Ghost shrimp are a much better alternative, but still should be QT.
Also make sure your tank lids have no holes.
Honestly a bichir tank doesnt need to be very complicated, i know mine arent haha
You got any photos? I would love to see some!
We left almost five inches of open space between the water line and top of tank, and have a solid lid without holes. Looks like we will be setting up a small 10gal tank to try our hand at breeding feeders as a fun side project. In the mean time, we will be following the advice we have gotten here to make sure he is as happy as can be.
Katie has a few pics, and will be posting them shortly.
Katie has a few pics, and will be posting them shortly.
I would't recommend feeders, because if you in the future look to add any tank mates it may make it difficult to add them, because he may see them as a food source, but if you decide to continue with feeders stick with breeding them yourself like your doing.
So, I am going to stop feeding Wōden goldfish. From theinformation I have been given here, and the information I found online, I havebecome fairly apprehensive about this type of food source. I figure that it isalways better to be safe than sorry. Now, I have some very fresh tilapia in the fridge just waiting for Wōdento devour! Plus, I am going to start researching shrimp farming.
Question: Is tilapia the only type of fish I should feedhim? Or are there other types that would be okay? I ask because I want to beable to give him a variety of foods.
Also, I am uploading some pictures of Wōden. They arenot the best, but it’s only been a day since I got my beautiful baby! Therewill be better pictures of him in the future.
Question: Is tilapia the only type of fish I should feedhim? Or are there other types that would be okay? I ask because I want to beable to give him a variety of foods.
Also, I am uploading some pictures of Wōden. They arenot the best, but it’s only been a day since I got my beautiful baby! Therewill be better pictures of him in the future.
