polypterus in a 55 gallon????

[rixy]

i am thinking of a polypterus for my 55 gallon.are there any that would be ok in a 55,and,if so,what about tankmates.was told a semapruchilodus toeniurus would be ok.thanks in advance.

 

[cougar579]

senegalus would be fine.

 

[beblondie]

P.senegalus senegalus or P. palmas polli should be fine in a 55 gallon and both are fairly common species too.
As for semapruchilodus toeniurus they can get territorial when the get bigger(10-12 inches)
heres a list of other possible tankmates its a general list so if you see something look up the specifics before buying.Bichirs need to be kept with non agressive fish.

CATFISH
Dusky Pimelodid-Pimelodus blochii
Giraffe Catfish-Auchenoglanis occidentalis
Dwarf giraffe Catfish-Parauchenoglanis macrostoma
Giant Whiptail Catfish-Sturisoma aureum
Synodontis alberti
Synodontis angelicus
Synodontis pleurops
Synodontis decorus
Synodontis eupterus
Synodontis notatus
Synodontis brichardi
Synodontis nigrita
Synodontis flavitaeniata
Synodontis soloni
Liver Catfish-Heteropneustes fossilis
Black Lancer-Bagrichthys hypselopterus
PLECOS
Bristlenose-Ancistrus dolichopterus
CHARACINS
Silver dollar-Metynnis argenteus
Distichodus notospilus-Distichodus notospilus
Congo tetra-Phenacogrammus interruptus
Black-Barred Myleus-Myleus schomburgki
Filament tetra-Bryconaethiop microstoma
EELS
Peacock Eel- Macrognathus aculeatus
CICHLIDS *(see note)
Dicus-Symphysodon discus
Angelfish-Pterophyllum ssp.
Two-Spot Cichlid-Cichlasoma bimaculatum
Tilapia joka-Tilapia joka
Oscar-Astronotus ocellatus
Severum-Cichlasoma severum
Kribensis- Pelvicachromis pulcher
Sparkling Earth Eater-Satanoperca acuticeps
Blue acara-Aequidens pulchrus
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Blood Parrot Cichlid-Hybrid no scientifc name
Blue-Eye Cichlid-Cichlasoma spilurum
Festivum-Mesonauta festivus
African Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara nyassae
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Bandit Cichlid-Aequidens geayi
Blockhead Cichlid-Steatocranus casuarius
Callolepis Cichlid-Cichlasoma callolepis
Freiberg's Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
Keyhole Cichlid-Cleithracara maronii
Port Acara-Aequidens portalegrensis
Uaru- Uaru amphicanthiodes
LABYRINTH FISHES
Ctenopoma .acutirostre-Ctenopoma .acutirostre
Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus-Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus
Ctenopoma kingsleyae-Ctenopoma kingsleyae
CYPRINIDS
Variegated Shark-Labeo variegatus
Bala Shark-Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Red-Finned Cigar Shark-Leptobarbus hoevenii
Red-linned torpedo barb-Puntius denisonii
Tinfoil Barb-Barbodes schwanefeldii
Chinese Algae Eater-Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Clown Loach-Botia macracantha
MISC.
African mudfish-Phractolaemus ansorgei
Black Ghost Knifefish -Apteronotus albifrons
Elephantnose-Gnathonemus petersii
African butterfly-Pantondon bucholzi
African Knifefish-Xenomystus nigri
(*note :to avoid agression do not have breeding pairs )

 

[rixy]

thanks bblondie,i'll have a read/research.what would you get,the bichir and some other fish,or,the toeniurus and some other fish.ps,could i get 2 bichirs plus other fish.going to have a change this afternoon or in the morning.pps was the above list for bichir,or toeniurus tankmates.

 

[beblondie]

Sorry,thats the list of possible tankmates for smaller species of bichirs.But I am very fond of bichirs.So I'd have to go with a bichir and some other fish.But its really up to you.-Anne

Either Polypterus senegalus or P.p.polli are great first bichirs as both are active during the lights on/day tho of the two the senegalus I feel has the more ''personality'' of the two and more easily found petsmart will sell them to you as ''dinosaur eels''for like $6.00 each.

 

[rixy]

definately a senegal bichir then.what other fish,in your opinion should i add.i have 9 sterbai cory's(will they be ok) 2 salmon rainbows,2 boesemans rainbows and 2 parkinsons rainbows.thank you for your help so far.possibly a pair of ciclids(which ones) and then i'm lost.

 

[beblondie]

You need to think of fish a minimum of 4''in length and semi deep bodied, your sterbai's only get a cpl of inches.Size and temperment is the key to keeping bichirs with other species.If a bichir thinks it can eat it odds are it will try to at some point.Iff it was me i'd look at these species
cleanup team any of the below:
Synodontis alberti
Synodontis angelicus
Synodontis pleurops
Synodontis decorus
Synodontis eupterus
Synodontis notatus
Synodontis brichardi
Synodontis nigrita
Synodontis flavitaeniata
Synodontis soloni
midwater active species:
Congo tetra-Phenacogrammus interruptus
Kribensis- Pelvicachromis pulcher(avoid breeding pairs)
Tinfoil Barb-Barbodes schwanefeldii
Severum-Cichlasoma severum
surface dwellers
Ctenopoma .acutirostre-Ctenopoma .acutirostre
Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus-Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus
Ctenopoma kingsleyae-Ctenopoma kingsleyae
African butterfly-Pantondon bucholzi
Now all that said there is no guraantees mixing fish it really depends on their individual personalities-Anne

 

[rixy]

thankyou for all your help

 

[beblondie]

Your welcome good luck -Anne

 

[Beansray]

Senegals are great for a 55