Ornate vs Senegal with Saratoga (leichardti)

[THQ]

Hi all

I live in Australia and since true aro's are illegal here, we have to make do with our native versions. I am growing a juvenile 4" Scleropages Leichardti (Southern Saratoga) in a 6x2x2 with some medium semi-aggressive cichlids that I will trade in for a big, hardy bottom dweller with predatory instinct that will survive in a tank with a top-dwelling 'toga that will get to at least 2 ft, prob in 3 years or so.

Bichirs seem to fit the bill. My LFS have juvie senegals and bichirs, but that's it. No one is selling delhezis and endlicherii and retropinnis are classified noxious and illegal in my state.

I like the look of both, but am leaning a bit more towards ornates because of their beautiful patterns and do they grow faster/bigger too? Also I think aro's and toga's like to attack other silvery/white fish so senegals might be too close in colour.

What are your thoughts? Also all the bichirs they have are around 3" long. Is that too small?

PS the end goal in a few years is to get a 12x3x3, add a stingray and a datnoid to the above, and use the 6x2x2 as a sump. I have the space and the funds. Just need to find a local place that can do it in braceless acrylic, but can't find anyone yet.

Thanks.

 

[munchie]

i would go for ornates because from my experience senegal grow slow and doesnt grow big. the aro will out grow the senegal

 

[predatorkeeper87]

I thought all polys were illegal in your country?

Ornates are bigger and better in my honest opinion.

 

[magpie]

Another Ornate vote here due to size primarily, but their coloration is more striking as well.

 

[Hendre]

Don't they lose colour as they grow?

Ornates would be better with the eventual size

 

[magpie]

You mean ornates? Some of them fade but not all, and even a faded ornate is more striking than a not-faded Senegal. Don't get me wrong, I love me some cute personable active senegal action.

We had a discussion about it and photos somewhere.... It was semi-recent, but can't remember what thread it was in. Edit - found it. The ornate thread. LOL
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/post-youre-ornates.685165/

 

[Polyaddict86]

I would go for ornate, maybe same growth rate as a aro but slows down after a year but gets big enough not to get eaten.

 

[ocellatus]

Agreed that an ornate would be a better choice for that setup. They grow far larger than a Senegal and would be less likely to become a snack once your Saratoga hits adult size. They are also the "toughest" upper jaw species IMO and would be better suited to hold their own if aggression issues develop.

Edit: Looks like Polyaddict86 and I were thinking along the same lines, lol.

O

 

[thefredpit]

I agree with everyone the sengalus wold eventually be a snack

 

[Polyaddict86]

Agreed that an ornate would be a better choice for that setup. They grow far larger than a Senegal and would be less likely to become a snack once your Saratoga hits adult size. They are also the "toughest" upper jaw species IMO and would be better suited to hold their own if aggression issues develop.

Edit: Looks like Polyaddict86 and I were thinking along the same lines, lol.

O

Great poly minds think alike