My New Polypterus [Pics + Questions]

[Ethics]

Hey guys,

Quick Stats:

55 Gallon Planted Tank
13 Tetras (will probably be food for him someday)
1 Goldfish (he has a deformed mouth so he can barely open it)
1 Vampire Shrimp (he lives in a hollowed out piece of driftwood)
1 Large Pleco +10" (had him since he was < 1" )

I've been lurking on here for just about 3 years now, and finally made the plunge into getting a polypterus.

The local Fish store around my way doesn't take good care of their fish and this guy was in a small cramped cube so I couldn't help but give him a better home.

I used to just have goldfish in my tank as a placeholder, decided to give them to a friend yesterday to make room for this little guy.

Questions...

1. What type of Polypterus is my little guy?

2. What's the max size these guys grow? I currently keep him in 55 gal, will I need to upgrade?

3. How fast do they grow?

4. How many times a day should he be fed?

5. What are the best things to feed him?

I currently feed him Freeze Dried Blood Worms. I tried to give him Freeze Dried Plankton but the pieces are thicker then the bloodworms and leave a bump in the polys belly. (should this be something I should be worried about? I stopped the Plankton since I noticed they were still in his belly)

Overall he's a super active happy fish. He swims all over the tank all day and comes to the glass when you sit near the tank.

Oh and I heard they like to jump, so since I had to top to my tank I went to the fish store to find out a flimsy top would cost me $125. So I went to the hardware store and got some eggcrate. Made it the exact size needed and now it looks great, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a tank lid for under $10.

I'm off to go read some of the stickies, thank you for looking guys.

Mario

 

[Ethics]

Whoops forgot to add, he's under 2" long.

 

[D-WALT]

its a polypterus senegalus
it should grow to around 12"
it will eat bloodworms, brimshrimp, krill and about everything else you put in the tank just keep it on a good diet. i feed mine once a day!

heres a growth chart

 

[Angler]

He is a Senegal. You are right that the Tetras will become food. Senegals max out at around 12". Growth rate can vary a lot between different individuals even within the same species. It will take him a long time to reach 12". A 55 gallon will be fine for life.

Bichirs are not picky eaters. I would feed him mostly sinking pellets supplimented with frozen food like shrimp, krill, or silversides.

 

[Ethics]

Thank you D-WALT & Angler.

Good to know I won't have to upgrade the tank anytime soon.

The only other thing I wanted to know is whether the Freeze Dried Plankton is hurting him. As you can see in the pics there are 2 bumps on his belly. Is this something I should be worried about?

Thanks again guys,
Mario

 

[IKeepPacu]

i would break the plankton in half, or even thirds with a scissor or by hand. hes still a small guy, so it will make it easier.

fish generally get a bulge in their belly when they eat a fish or shrimp or something, so im not too sure i would worry much.