Poly for a 55
- Thread starter Davisfamily2018
- Start date
personally I'd skip the golddust while they look great they tend to be shy
My Dels are probably the most active in the tank. They are usually the most in your face too, every once in a while they get spooked and kinda freak out a little but it passes quickly. Only reason Ive said might not want to is a 55 is only 12" front to back its not ideal but like others have said they should be fine. Sens are a definite poly for that tank most "cost effective" and readily available, active, interactive.
Whatever you decide get a lid/glass top and be careful in choosing your decorations. No small holes for polys to get stuck in.
Whatever you decide get a lid/glass top and be careful in choosing your decorations. No small holes for polys to get stuck in.
Polypterids are truly amazing creatures from an evolutionary and scientific perspective. I'd be hard pressed to think of a better alternative 
I think most upper jaws with the exception of sens have the ability to hit 12 inches some may get there sooner than others. My del made it to 7ish inches pretty fast but never passed 8 or 9 inches and had it for a few yrs.
2 or 3 sens with 1 del would be fine. My kids loved the dragon like apprearence of the del and the activity of the sens.
2 or 3 sens with 1 del would be fine. My kids loved the dragon like apprearence of the del and the activity of the sens.
If you do go through with it theres some great talking points in this thread.
Im not sure if its in this thread but its been said that dels are thought to be a transitional species between upper and lower jaw polys....i think lol
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/all-bichir-polypterus-species-updated.684410/
I had 1 but only saw him 3 times before I traded him in
My polli is my most active and upfront followed by sengalus and then delhezi but that being said all 3 are very active
I think that Senegal and Polli awould be my top choices because they swim around more than most other species and are kind of "in your face" species that interact. You could get a Sen, albino sen, and polli and have 3 that are active fish but all look different.
I also LOVE ropes, but I'd recommend 3 because they like each others company. Mine will eat out of my fingers. They get really long... but they are bendy so I think a 55 would work even though it's not very long front to back? You have the 4 foot width. They seem to really love my plants - I think they're naturally in waters with plants (are called reedfish also). Are you going to plant the tank or no?
A couple have mentioned it but I'm going to reiterate that your lid needs to be very secure with no gaps for escape, particularly if you choose ropes. I duct tape the back of mine where the filter and heater cords are to assure it is escape proof.
Edit, I would also try to get captive bred / tank raised fish because they stay smaller. But with ropes you always get wild caught I believe. Do you have a freezer at school where you can keep some variety for their diet like frozen fish?
I also LOVE ropes, but I'd recommend 3 because they like each others company. Mine will eat out of my fingers. They get really long... but they are bendy so I think a 55 would work even though it's not very long front to back? You have the 4 foot width. They seem to really love my plants - I think they're naturally in waters with plants (are called reedfish also). Are you going to plant the tank or no?
A couple have mentioned it but I'm going to reiterate that your lid needs to be very secure with no gaps for escape, particularly if you choose ropes. I duct tape the back of mine where the filter and heater cords are to assure it is escape proof.
Edit, I would also try to get captive bred / tank raised fish because they stay smaller. But with ropes you always get wild caught I believe. Do you have a freezer at school where you can keep some variety for their diet like frozen fish?
