Sen tankmate inquiry

[krzr3000]

I've got a ~4-5in. sen in with a similar sized common pleco in a 36x12x18. I notice the sen just hangs out in the same spot all day, along with the pleco. I have read that they are nocturnal though, so no surprise there. Even with that said its not all that active when its dark, but it eats great and is growing fast.

This is my first poly...i was wondering if dithers may work? Maybe a few schools of tough tetras? Tank space limits any sort of cichlid, plus i dont want any aggression issues towards the poly. But i think i saw somewhere in this forum about poly's doing best without fish overhead?

I think i just want to breathe some life into the tank...i've read the stickys but i wonder how non large-agressive fish may fare?

Or perhaps another sen would do him some good?

Thanks

 

[FishGoneWild]

Loaches will make a tank lively.

 

[dbcb314]

that odd that your sen isn't very active

how long have you had him? sens are usually very active

and is he in a bare bottom tank??


oh... keeping plecos with bichirs is risky business

 

[cenecker]

yeah sens are ussually pretty active, give him some time. Try to feed him first thing when you turn the lights on or at least some time during the day. They get used to the notion of eating during the day and will spend more time out and about foraging.

Any dithers will probably be eaten. You'd be AMAZED what a bichir can fit in its mouth .

Welcome to the wonderful world of polypterus...this is only the beginning...

 

[beblondie]

what are your water chems?and temp.?also whatother tankmates are in there

 

[krzr3000]

what are your water chems?and temp.?also whatother tankmates are in there

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: ~25
Temp: ~77
Tankmate: 5in common pleco
It has recently been cooler here so the tank isnt in the low 80's anymore...think thats it? I can turn up the heater.
Sandy bottom, plenty of hiding spots. Its not exactly inactive...it will swim around at times, but not necessarily as much as i would expect.

 

[krzr3000]

Update...today i actually tried turning the light on in the morning and leaving it on and he actually moving around. I will try to feed every morning as well. But would another sen be a good idea?