New polypterus delhezi!!

[beau1990]

That's normal behavior for small young polypterus, avoiding the bigger bichirs that would make a quick meal of them in the wild, but lowered water levels will also help prevent the dreaded jumpout

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

ok good to know it is the bigger one doing it the smaller one is alot more chill!

 

[tlindsey]

Thanks just wondering the bigger one has been floating / suspended near the top It does not look like a swim bladder problem he is upright and in control but is this normal he is just hovering about 2-4 inches below the surface should I lower the water level to provide easy access to air?

Yes definitely should have water lowered 1 to 2 inches for Dels to collect air.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

I lowered it to about half a inch below the trim as I usually have it almost to the brace so I thought this was enough?

Yes definitely should have water lowered 1 to 2 inches for Dels to collect air.

 

[tlindsey]

I lowered it to about half a inch below the trim as I usually have it almost to the brace so I thought this was enough?

I personally would lower it to atleast 1" because sometimes they come up fast for air and may hit the lid. The little Delhezi is breathing with the external gills so will not go to surface as much.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

But is it normal for them to stay at thetop for long periods of time he has been their for a couple of hours is this normal the one with external gills is fine

 

[tlindsey]

But is it normal for them to stay at thetop for long periods of time he has been their for a couple of hours is this normal the one with external gills is fine

Young Polypterus will do that so pretty normal.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

update!! day two the smaller one ate pellets over night and is looking chunk and the bigger one has always been a good eater lol!

 

[twentyleagues]

This is one I have in grow out now too. It's about 4" now when I got it it was 1" maybe less smallest del I've ever seen. But all my dels have hung out near the top pretty sure it's natural. I'm guessing in nature they hunt bugs and small amphibians near the surface. They probably do this in the shallows as to protect themselves from larger predators, and like said above they do breath air also. Mine is very comfortable near the surface. I have taken advantage of this to start hand feeding it and getting it used to interacting with me.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

Would love to do that with mine I really like the look of the floaters in your tank I might pick some up

This is one I have in grow out now too. It's about 4" now when I got it it was 1" maybe less smallest del I've ever seen. But all my dels have hung out near the top pretty sure it's natural. I'm guessing in nature they hunt bugs and small amphibians near the surface. They probably do this in the shallows as to protect themselves from larger predators, and like said above they do breath air also. Mine is very comfortable near the surface. I have taken advantage of this to start hand feeding it and getting it used to interacting with me.