single Polypterus, or more

[Dakkon]

Hello! this is my first post, i love the site!

Well, about 1 week ago i bought a tank set up from a friend. He let me keep which ever fish i wanted from this tank, the rest he would keep. I chose the 8" Polypterus, its a Seng, he is very active and doing well. Ive never dealt with a Polypterus before, and i was wondering if they often like to be in groups. Recently my LFS has had alot of them for sale, and i dont see them often around my small area, so i figured Id ask now before they might be all gone.

Do they like to be the only Polypterus in the tank, or would he like some more?

At the moment i have him set up in a 55Gal, and i also have a 125 gal that i switch my larger fish into if needed.


His tank mates at the moment are 2 small pacu that will move to the bigger tank when larger, 1 common pleco, and i was thinking about maybe getting some silver dollars, or clown loaches.

Also, what would be some other good tankmates that would fit in a 55gal max.

Thanks for your time! much appreciated!


-Dakkon

 

[Cohazard]

Welcome to MFK Dakkon!


Sens are an awesome first bichir and I can say that polypterids do well either alone or in groups, the choice is yours.

I prefer keeping them in groups because they're my favorite type of fish, and mix well with other larger tropical fish.

I've kept mine with gold saums (green terror), severums, angelfish, oscars, archer fish, etc... so any fish that will not outgrow a 55g and is too big for them to eat, and isn't super aggressive, is likely to work, you've got a lot of options.

There are also a lot of awesome and unique african fish that come from the same habitat as bichirs, all that info is in the polypterus primer which is a sticky at the top of the polypterus forum. Everything you need or want to know is in there, and then some.

 

[Dakkon]

thanks! good info


do you think i would have a problem putting a little 2-3 inch sens in with this 8" one, or would he end up being a meal?

 

[Cohazard]

There is risk, but I've done crazier mixes. Right now I have two 11" lapradei, and a 10" congicus, and several 10" delhezi, with a 4" ornate swimming around

They key is keeping them well fed, feed daily.

 

[dizee-d]

There is risk, but I've done crazier mixes. Right now I have two 11" lapradei, and a 10" congicus, and several 10" delhezi, with a 4" ornate swimming around

They key is keeping them well fed, feed daily.

I wish I had "several" Delhezi's in my tank.. I recently got a Endlicheri and a Senegal and they are awesome fish to keep. Waiting for them to grow so I can put them in the 150g.

Still waiting on some Delhezi's though, been looking for some for ages. Delhezi's command a higher price where I live (Australia). I have seen them go anywhere between $350 for a Juvenile to $800 AUD for a 10" Adult..... wish they were a little cheaper here.

 

[Armored_delhezi]

There is risk, but I've done crazier mixes. Right now I have two 11" lapradei, and a 10" congicus, and several 10" delhezi, with a 4" ornate swimming around

They key is keeping them well fed, feed daily.

I agree! I have large bichirs in my tank, 10" is the smallest and 22" is the largest but about 2weeks ago I've added 5 2-3" baby delhezis and they're all good!!! I think keeping them well fed is the key!!!

 

[Cohazard]

I wish I had "several" Delhezi's in my tank.. I recently got a Endlicheri and a Senegal and they are awesome fish to keep. Waiting for them to grow so I can put them in the 150g.

Still waiting on some Delhezi's though, been looking for some for ages. Delhezi's command a higher price where I live (Australia). I have seen them go anywhere between $350 for a Juvenile to $800 AUD for a 10" Adult..... wish they were a little cheaper here.

I really feel for you Aussies

I wonder if law prohibits fish farming of tropical fish that aren't banned? Someone could be making bank out there.

I agree! I have large bichirs in my tank, 10" is the smallest and 22" is the largest but about 2weeks ago I've added 5 2-3" baby delhezis and they're all good!!! I think keeping them well fed is the key!!!

cool good to hear! we're lucky we don't have one of those uber cranky bichirs that cause havoc in the community tank lol

 

[Benja]

You made the right choice picking a poly.
I have 3 polys, two of which are sengalus. You might get the impression that the fancier looking polys are superior, but, recently I have realized that an active fish is much more appealing than a fancy fish that hides or sits around most of the time(IMO). I love watching my sengalus chase each other around the tank. The seem quite playful, I hope this never changes.

Sooner or later someone is going to warn you about the common pleco not being a good tank mate for your poly. Something about certain pleco's particular taste for bichir slimecoat.

I also have a GT in the tank with my polys, and a firemouth they all seem to be getting along fine.

 

[Burbotman]

A cheesy reference, however I can equate Polypterus keeping to the old Hostess Lays potato chip slogan "Betcha can't just eat one". Bichirs are such a unique and interesting fish with a number of varities that once you have one it is difficult not to pick up more.

Visiting this forum makes that especially hard when you have the opportunity to see some of the great poly's that other MFK members have.

Welcome to the MFK fraternity Dakkon. (Sorry Anne, or Sorority

 

[Dakkon]

thanks!

ya im happy i found this site. its good to see more people just as interested, or more, in fish as me

i dont know everything but i wanna learn what i can.

Update! haha

I got a new poly sen today, hes so small! haha, so hes gonna start out in my smaller tank until he can room with the bigger boy.

Could my poly deal with somthing such as a green terror or jack D? im thinking no but those are some other fish i like or what are some other good ideas for tank mates for my poly? 55gal max!