I know that most Polypterus are on the larger side but are there species that are small enough to be in a 40gallon tank?
Smallest Polypterus
- Thread starter Itsadeepbluesea
- Start date
Thats pretty sweet I have always been really interested in them but have not had the space for anything more then 40g tank I figured it was a stretch and was hoping I had just passed over a species small enough to fit.
there are several candidates depending on how much you wish to spend
with P.senegalus bieng the cheapest and a great first bichir usually 6-7 dollars
on up for other species
Species and sizes
maximum known sizes often smaller in captivity
Upper Jaw Species-Upper jaw protrudes past lower jaw
P. palmas palmas ('palmas' bichir)- 13"
(subspecies)P. palmas polli ('marbled bichir)- 14"
(subspecies) P. palmas buettikoferi ('buettikoferi' bichir)- 13"
P. delhezi ('armoured' or 'delhez's' bichir)- 14"
P. senegalus senegalus ('Senegal' or 'Cuiver's' bichir)- 12"
(possible subspecies)P. senegalus meridionalis- 12"+
There is, Also the possibility of a third member of the Polypterus senegalus
group that is found in the Nile River
P. retropinnis ('retropinnis' bichir)- 14"
P .mokelembembe
i wouldn't put more than one specimen in the tank and i'd probably rule out tankmates a 40 gallon tank isn't exactly Sea World-Anne
with P.senegalus bieng the cheapest and a great first bichir usually 6-7 dollars
on up for other species
Species and sizes
maximum known sizes often smaller in captivity
Upper Jaw Species-Upper jaw protrudes past lower jaw
P. palmas palmas ('palmas' bichir)- 13"
(subspecies)P. palmas polli ('marbled bichir)- 14"
(subspecies) P. palmas buettikoferi ('buettikoferi' bichir)- 13"
P. delhezi ('armoured' or 'delhez's' bichir)- 14"
P. senegalus senegalus ('Senegal' or 'Cuiver's' bichir)- 12"
(possible subspecies)P. senegalus meridionalis- 12"+
There is, Also the possibility of a third member of the Polypterus senegalus
group that is found in the Nile River
P. retropinnis ('retropinnis' bichir)- 14"
P .mokelembembe
i wouldn't put more than one specimen in the tank and i'd probably rule out tankmates a 40 gallon tank isn't exactly Sea World-Anne
I would recommend only captive bred senegalus, and maaayyybe a captive bred delhezi if it is older and already shown that it's genes are 'small'.
I've personally had 12" palmas palmas and retropinnis in a 40g acrylic with 'wide' dimensions and even though it was temporary, I felt very bad for the fish.
Polypterus HATE restricted spaces, think of them as suffering from mild claustrophobia, so more space is always better.
I've personally had 12" palmas palmas and retropinnis in a 40g acrylic with 'wide' dimensions and even though it was temporary, I felt very bad for the fish.
Polypterus HATE restricted spaces, think of them as suffering from mild claustrophobia, so more space is always better.
