Possible Tankmates

[Siemens2]

Saw some Polypterus palmas at lfs the other day for $6 and was wondering what would be a good tankmate(s) for a 90

 

[kentobizmol]

i'm going to do 2bichirs, 1spiny eel, 1 gar, and 1chaca catfish. in a 125gallon.

maybe for a 90gallon, u can do like a bichir mix

 

[Vince]

Delhizi, senegal, albino senegal, datnoid, and...I wanted to say arowana, but it will outgrow your tank in a year...

 

[beblondie]

Tankmates
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 )

 

[kido]

an all polypterus tank would be cool

 

[Siemens2]

Would getting a small P. palmas and putting it into a 33 long with some serpaes and lemon tetras be ok for a month until my 90 is set-up and going or would this be asking for trouble? Also, would it be best to feed after the lights are out to ensure food is able to reach the bichir? Food suggestions for a smaller P. palmas

 

[beblondie]

Depends on the size of all involved but odds are some tetras might not make it.A for food
Feeding
size the food to the size of the fish small fish need food cut small
Live foods : guppies , rosey red minnows, ghost shrimp, earthworms
frozen: bloodworms, mysis shrimp,brine shrimp , krill, squid and frozen silversides
some will take pellets, lean meaty foods such as beefheart are good too
but you need to balance their diet for nutrition so vary the diet, not just one
thing.How much to feed them ? Feed them until their belly bows slightly.
and skipping a meal will not hurt them once they are
past 7-8 inches remember in the wild food is not
always available.A nice round bichir is a happy bichir
NUTRITION FOR CARNIVORES
Below are the agreed upon nutritional requirements for predatory fish
below that is a list of necessary vitamins usually supplied and just for informational
purposes.
PROTEIN:: 45% or more (this would be the ideal)
FAT:: 3% Min. to 6% Max.
FIBER 2% Min. to 4% Max

 

[fisker]

Macropodes and smaller snakeheads worked fine in my tank

 

[boxnfn4ever]

I would be VERY careful mixing them with Pictus cats...I have a 135 gal with;

7" Sengal Bichor
12" Rope Fish
9" Chocolate Cichlid
2 - 4" Red Tail Sharks
and 1 half eaten 4" Pictus Cat

I noticed that the tail fin of my cat was missing a few days ago. I'd never noticed anyone picking on him...so I've been keeping a close on on the tank. Then at feeding time I noticed my Sengal rush the catfish and amazingly had half of my Pictus in his mouth. He can't eat get past the pectoral fins...but he tries. Also...there were once 5 RTS...the others just disappeared.

 

[THE Edge]

an all polypterus tank would be cool

utterly agree with u dude!