Senegal eating algae wafers

[courtneylm]

Anyone else's senegal (or any kind of bichir really) eat algae wafers? I have a bristlenose pleco so I throw algae wafers in, normally my bichir tries to bite them but is unable to. Today I threw in a couple broken pieces and he swallowed one whole. I know they're carnivores so they're not meant to eat plant matter so I'm just wondering if you think it'll cause any issues. I won't be throwing broken pieces in anymore either. And he's fed at the same time as the rest of the fish so it's not like he's just hungry but doesn't have any of his food available. Thanks for any tips

 

[tlindsey]

if you think it'll cause any issues.

Not at all but make sure pieces of algae wafers are small enough for the bichir to swallow.

 

[jjohnwm]

Predators that eat whole prey items, as opposed to biting chunks off a larger prey item, get plenty of vegetable matter from gut contents of the prey.

And, if you check the ingredients listed for those "algae" wafers, they likely aren't all that different than the "carnivore" pellets. A bit more spirulina, a bit less fish meal...no drastic changes in formulae.

 

[Disturbed.)]

Mine take them away from my plecos lol

 

[courtneylm]

Mine take them away from my plecos lol

Mine is still small so my pleco scares him lol

 

[Disturbed.)]

Mine are fully grown and getting bullied as well. Senegals just stay too small. Most of what you read about ropefish and various bichers adult size is BS. I'm building a tank now so the fish can start playing musical aquariums.

 

[courtneylm]

Mine are fully grown and getting bullied as well. Senegals just stay too small. Most of what you read about ropefish and various bichers adult size is BS. I'm building a tank now so the fish can start playing musical aquariums.

Mine isn't fully grown, only about 5 or 6 inches long. He's grown very slowly. We've had him since November of 2021 and he was 3 inches. I expect him to get at least 10 or 12 inches though. Do you think that's a realistic expectation? My pleco is full grown at 6 inches

 

[tlindsey]

I expect him to get at least 10 or 12 inches though. Do you think that's a realistic expectation?

If captive bred the Senegal will probably max out at 10" or less imo. I've been keeping cb Senegal bichir for years. There are wild type Senegal from Africa Lake Turkana that grow atleast 12 inches.

 

[Disturbed.)]

Sens put on the vast majority of their size in the first 18 months, after that slow if any. As tlindsey said don't expect them to break the 10" mark

 

[Rougarou]

Poly's, while carnivorous, are opportunistic feeders as well. It doesn't take them long to figure out that the wafers are something to eat. This is not good for the Poly's, as the wafers along with their regular diet, will ultimately wind up being overfed. It's not good for your algae eaters as well, as now their dietary needs are not being met. They will eventually starve. It would be best to separate them if possible.