polypterus senegalus

[catfish]

what should the minimum size for tankmates for a polypterus im thinking about getting one it would be about 3-4"

 

[BGG]

It depends on the girth of the fish. I would say something 3" or 4" in girth (diameter) and 8" long would be ideal to keep with a fully grown 12" P. senegalus.

 

[beblondie]

Depending on the size of your tank
Below is a partial list of possible tankmates for the small to midsized bichirs species.Parameters I used are based on size, temperment and availabilty . And i believe is a good starting point for you to do further research before purchasing -Anne
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 )-Anne

Basicly your looking for non agressive tankmate with a body depth(from dorsal to ventral) measurements 3-4 inches and stl(standard lenght) of 5 inches minimum

 

[catfish]

beblondie wouldent a polypterus be able to eat a kribensis or an african peacock cichlid?

 

[Fruitbat]

I've kept Pelvicachromis pulcher (the 'kribensis') with Polypterus senegalus on a number of occasions without much trouble. A fully grown adult 'kribensis' is a bit of a large mouthful for a Senegal Bichir...though with a bit of work the bichir could probably manage it. The trick is to match the size of the cichlid with the size of the bichir. Obviously it won't work well if you have a 12" bichir and a juvenile 'kribensis'.

BTW....the bichir works very well as a disposal system for all of those 'kribensis' fry.

-Joe

 

[Mr_Fantasy]

A good idea is 2 get another polyterus as tankmate. A few medium sized bichirs in the same tank eg, albino senegal, Polli, delhezi, even Ornate 2gether will b veri cool.

 

[weicong]

actually u can get some mid dwellers if not get some more bichirs. Get an endlicheri, they are cool. But never add plecos with bichirs.