P. Sen securing lid and tankmates

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T

Taysius

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 17, 2010
22
0
1
Indiana
Hello, first time posting on MFK but I am frequent on AC. I'm looking into getting a couple of Polypterus Senegalus for my new 40 breeder that I picked up for 15 bucks at a thrift store.

I know that I need a secure lid on the tank with no gaps as these guys are escape artists. I haven't really read about how secure they need to be though. Would a normal glass top with the vinyl cut around the filter be enough? Or do I need to somehow clamp the lid shut?

My plan is to have two P. Sen. in the tank along with a single somewhat larger fish. I still need to do a lot of research on the other fish but I may as well throw it out here as well. Is there anything in particular that anyone would like to recommend? Something with a similar growth rate would be great.
 
The glass tops with the vinyl strip cut out for the filters should be fine. Just make sure that when your cutting out for the filters you pay special attention to the corners of the filter. Most HOB filters have more of a gap in the corner where the water returns into the tank. Even a small opening can lead to your bichir escaping and end up carpet surfing.
 
that should be fine. I have never had a problem with them trying to get out personally, but I am sure that a few people have. Either way, your setup will be fine.
 
Good news about the lid. I was hoping I wouldn't have to construct anything. I have a large cray in a different tank and it's fun enough trying to keep her from escaping.

For a tankmate I would really love to get a small severum. This may not be the place to ask but I am reading that like the P. Sens, they tend to grow fast until they reach about 5 inches then slow down. To me, the two P. Sens and a Sev sound like they would do fine in a 40 breeder for some time. So maybe in 3 some years I would either need to rehome or upgrade. Is this an accurate assumption on my part or would I be overstocking to the extreme?
 
Taysius;4559726; said:
Good news about the lid. I was hoping I wouldn't have to construct anything. I have a large cray in a different tank and it's fun enough trying to keep her from escaping.

For a tankmate I would really love to get a small severum. This may not be the place to ask but I am reading that like the P. Sens, they tend to grow fast until they reach about 5 inches then slow down. To me, the two P. Sens and a Sev sound like they would do fine in a 40 breeder for some time. So maybe in 3 some years I would either need to rehome or upgrade. Is this an accurate assumption on my part or would I be overstocking to the extreme?
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Well mine grew pretty quick up to about the 7-8 inch mark. I think 3 would bee fine since the footprint on a 40 gallon breeder is wider and that is what matters most. Sens will top out at around 12" and that should be fine for that tank. As far as the sevs, just make sure you start them all out at the same time so that they will grow at more of the same rate together.
 
So far I haven't had any troubles with my 2 sen's trying to escape. I've had them in both a 20 & now in a 65g. The 65 has flat glass hoods that leave about a 3 inch gap at the back. I just covered that gap with a piece of eggcrate (the plastic kind you buy at lowes) and so far I haven't had any escape attempts that I'm aware of.
 
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