Need a little poly advise

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erk419

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 21, 2009
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Lima, Ohio
I'm wanting to get a poly but I'm not sure which one. I've got a 150 gallon dimensions 72 long x 18 wide x 28 high. Now I like some of the bigger polys like the ornatipinnis but obviously my tank isn't wide enough. Now one of my first questions is would one that can get 14 inch's be ok in my tank or should I go with the smaller 12inch ones. If 14 inch is ok what is your guys favorite out of the 12 to 14 inch range ones.

Now my next question is so far I have 5 clown loachs in there. Now 3 of them I'm not really worried about because there a decent size. Now two of them I've had for a couple months but there still pretty small and really haven't grown at all since I've had them. Now my only worry is if I get a poly I don't want my two little clowns to end up dinner for him. Now from I've read polys grow pretty fast unlike clowns.

Now out of the 12 to 14 range polys do they all have similar size mouths or are they all about the same. One fish shop I plan on going to here soon has two species in stock the ornat and Polypterus Delhezi I checked the sticky in here and it says the delhezi gets 14 inch's.

Now I don't have to get this kind I can order one or look else were if need be.

Mainly what I'm looking for is the one that have the best patterns and not one that is just one solid color. If there is one with a smaller mouth that looks good I'd be interested in that to for the sake of my small loachs.

Any advise or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
your tank is big enough for all big polys specimens, I wouldnt worry much about that, and as for the tankmates, any fish which is small enough to fit in your bichirs mouth is always on the menu. Never underestimate what bichir can swallow. You could keep clown loaches together with your bichir as long as those clowns are big just like you mentioned it, and perhaps keep the smaller one in a separate tank. But just so you know, clown loaches could also be hazard for the bichirs, as they may suck slime coats. So the choices is yours to make.
Any poly other than sens or albinos have a unique pattern. They all different, you could find them in the poly media forum. However one solid color is also nice, havent you see the platinum bichirs yet?
 
Thanks for the advise. I guess I could put them in the 75 with the oscar when I move him. Thats were I had them all a few months ago anyways and they get along great. Then when I feel there getting to big for the 75 I can put them back in the 150.
 
Ok I got a question you said any of the bigger polys would be fine in my tank. When you said this was you talking about as a grow out tank or one they can live there whole life in. I do plan on getting a bigger tank but don't know when won't be until I move to a different house. So I'm looking for polys that can live there whole life happely in a 150 which is 18 inchs wide. Now the ornate can reach 27 inchs wouldn't he be pretty uncomfortable in a tank only 18 inchs wide. I know with other "straight" fish this would be a big no no. But like I said I have expereince with polys so I don't know if the fact there more like a snake and they can bend there whole body makes a difference or not.

I'm really liking the ornate but if he won't be able to live is whole like comortably in a 18 inch wide tank then ill go with the smaller ones.

Anyone have any input on this thanks
 
erk419;3878399; said:
Ok I got a question you said any of the bigger polys would be fine in my tank. When you said this was you talking about as a grow out tank or one they can live there whole life in. I do plan on getting a bigger tank but don't know when won't be until I move to a different house. So I'm looking for polys that can live there whole life happely in a 150 which is 18 inchs wide. Now the ornate can reach 27 inchs wouldn't he be pretty uncomfortable in a tank only 18 inchs wide. I know with other "straight" fish this would be a big no no. But like I said I have expereince with polys so I don't know if the fact there more like a snake and they can bend there whole body makes a difference or not.

I'm really liking the ornate but if he won't be able to live is whole like comortably in a 18 inch wide tank then ill go with the smaller ones.

Anyone have any input on this thanks
Click to expand...

While it is true that Ornates can reach 2' in the wild, they tend to be smaller in captivity. They are more likely to be around 18" And if anything, they will slow down in growth by then. It should be fine in a 18" wide tank for a good while. As for the CL question...just like mentioned earlier, they will be fine together providing that the Poly can't make a meal of them. Be careful though...what Polys can catch, they will eat. If it looks small enough, but too big for their mouths, they can death roll their prey.
 
Thanks for the advise guys! I think I will stick to the smaller species 12 to 14 inchs for now! I can always go with a bigger species later down the road when I get my fish room and have room for bigger tanks.

As far as the clowns go when I move my oscar to the 75 I'm going to move the clowns with him until I feel there the right size to go back in the 150. I don't want to see one of the smaller ones get eating or one of the bigger ones get death rolled.
 
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