New tankmates for my senegal

[Mr. Mom]

So I've had a lone senegal bichir since March, and today ended up with some extra room in it's tank. (Don't know the sex ... but I may have to find out). I've been watching a senegal get slowly beat up at a LFS nearby, it's been housed with Delhezi's for the past 1-2 months. First one fin got partly nipped off, then the rest dissapeared. After a couple more weeks the other fin was gone. Lately when I've been there, it's been hiding in a tube that's half buried in the gravel.
Anyhow swung in today for some root tabs .. and thought I'd take a peek. There it was hiding in the tube still, and I noticed in a separate tank another senegal that was similar in size to my own. (had been returned for unknown reasons). Worked out a deal where I'd take home the one if they threw in the beat-up one as well. Told them it was breaking my heart watching it slowly get beat-up more and more everytime I came in. So my bichir population just went from 1 to 3.
This is the beat-up one

I believe I read somewhere that its fins won't grow back, there's a huge size difference between it and the other 2, so keeping an eye on things.
And the other one I got, not much difference in size than my original.

except this ones skinnier, but slightly longer.

the two did intermingle for a bit, but my original senegal was playing shy with me and wouldn't come out for a picture, even hid at feeding time ... I'd been adding plants and changing things in the tank today, so I may deserve the attitude.
I did manage to get 1 pic with all 3 ... kinda ...

My original is sticking its head out behind the driftwood, the new one is coming out and the sort-of rescue is the little one.
As I said ... there's a size difference here, so I'll keep an eye on things. But it was nice to see they all ate, so one hurdle surpassed. Now hopefully, tomorrow I can get the rest of the plants planted.

 

[Dr.B]

Nice save and your tank layout looks awesome

 

[Mr. Mom]

Nice save and your tank layout looks awesome

Thanks Dr.B ... I figured I'd post another pic and one of the tank currently, was planning on continuing to add plants this morning .... but my son has hid the root tabs on me

It made it through the night alright, and its coloring is much better IMO. It was so dark compared to the other 2 when we got home yesterday, but much better now.

As for the set-up ... I think it'll be better once more plants are incorporated. I've been messing with these 5 pieces of driftwood for sometime now, and still haven't quite found something that seems just right. My goal is to get something to pass my wife's scrutiny.

 

[Dr.B]

yeah lol thats why I don't do planted tank cause I always change my mind, and once I change my mind and set the plants a certain way i'll change my mind again.

 

[pjtmanzano]

Nice tank!

You've got a special sen there, reminds me of nemo with the uneven fins...

Good rescue


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[Dr.B]

And the fins should grow back if they weren't bitten off to far down.

 

[BuffaloPolypteridae]

Nice save on that little guy, i had a similar situation but he was just beat up by a bunch of big bala sharks so no missing fins but a lot of what seemed like bruises and missing scales. As Dr. B said, they should grow back as long as they werent bit off too low. Good luck with the group!

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[Mr. Mom]

Thanks for the compliments you guys.

As for the fins growing back, very doubtful. the one side has the arm to the fin that's it ... the other side the arm is just a nub. Like I'd said "It'd been breaking my heart every time I stopped at that shop", (I frequent 4 different LFS nearby). But my wife always said "1 was enough" and nixed me anytime I tried to get another ... this time I just didn't ask.

(Don't worry ... my truck has a 3/4" rubber bed liner and a canopy ... just in case)

Actually so far she's pleased with the "group", the tank is our center piece in our living-room ... hence the need to pass her scrutiny.

Up until this afternoon, the little one would only stay to the bottom of the tank. Later in the day though I found it laying along the driftwood mid-tank ... and this evening finally saw it break the surface. As well saw it eat again ... has a little tummy on it at the moment

Now I just need for everything to grow (plants and the little one)

 

[Shopko]

Nice! Nice rescue, nice tank, & awesome way you are keeping CINC house happy. :thumbup:

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[Mr. Mom]

Thanks Shopko ... talked to my wife today and it passed her inspection ... YEAH!!!!!

So its safe to say, my 55G is now stocked and done. Time to sit back and watch things grow ... as well as maintenance/waterchanges. About the only thing more I plan to do is maybe incorporate some plants (ie: pothos) in baskets along the top at the rear of the tank.

Everyone seems happy and I moved the remainder of the fish I had planned for this tank last night. So the stocking list consists of 3 Senegal Bichirs, 1 Synodontis Ocellifer, 1 Red tailed Shark and 5 African Butterfly Cichlids. I'm aware the bichirs may end up going after the cichlids (hoping the plant cover helps keep them safe) but have seen somewhat similar set-ups, so I'm willing to take that risk. When I first put the cichlids in the bichirs checked them out, then swam away ... except for the little (beat-up) bichir. It tried to take a nip of one of the cichlids .... needless to say it actually pleased me to see this. Nice to see it show some spunk .... now if he'll start growing. Ahhh time and patience = 2 things I need more of.