Ornate Bichir still has juvenile gills?

[Sanguinefox]

I noticed the other day that my Ornate (which is pushing between 8-9 inches) had this stuff on his neck. He's a shy bugger so for a while I've been unable to ID what it is. Last night I finally figured it out when he came out. He has his juvenile gill slits. He's not a baby anymore, and he's what...half grown in a way? So it seems so strange that he has these and I don't even think he had them when I got him (I could be wrong).

Anyone else have this similar experience with ornate at that length still retaining their gills? Is there any reason behind why they may hold onto them at this length?

 

[DariusAmurdarja]

pics?

 

[probassfisher010]

They come and go, many times they arrive at LFS and don't regrow till they are an a safe, oxygenated tank. I've heard of them going away at about 6" and then coming back all the way at 12", reason? Some say your tank isn't oxygenated enough, so requires the external gills, who knows. If I wear you I would just up the surface agitation, with an aerator, another filter, or a power head.

 

[Sanguinefox]

Unfortunately due to his shy nature it's been difficult to get photos or video of any quality at all: http://youtu.be/ePUWVeQ7PoE is some old video and here is some video I shot last night when the lighting is low: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVVxzGuRnL0 . Now that I think about it it may be possible he had the gills all along. I can't remember that far back though.

 

[Jackyx]

I got 2x Ornate one at 5" and the other 4".
The 5" still got his but the 4" already lost em.
I have no idea how this works too.

 

[Sanguinefox]

They come and go, many times they arrive at LFS and don't regrow till they are an a safe, oxygenated tank. I've heard of them going away at about 6" and then coming back all the way at 12", reason? Some say your tank isn't oxygenated enough, so requires the external gills, who knows. If I wear you I would just up the surface agitation, with an aerator, another filter, or a power head.

There are three filters running in the tank, the big aqua-clear alone creates a lot of surface agitation. There is also a large amount of healthy live plants including Java Fern, Java Moss, Anubias, a Crpt, Water Wisteria and Water Sprite. I can't imagine there not being enough oxygen in the tank. That said it makes sense. I am wondering if the presence of so many bottom dwellers plays a role in his keeping his gills(he doesn't come out till night so he doesn't breach to gulp air like the other two senegals). He share his tank with two senegals, a cichlid, and four loaches. The loaches are going to be relocated soon though, into my 50 gallon that I am getting the parts for. I am also considering relocating the single Cichlid in there as well but I have not decided for certain yet.