So what really IS the smallest Polypterid?

[rayoddballfish]

Personally, any Bichir under 15 inch I’d put in a 40 breeder but as a bare minimum obv bigger the better. Since 3 Ft by 18 inch should be sufficient for a fish that size (main concern is the width). I’ve kept my 15 inch platinum endlicheri in a 40 breeder and it’s finally getting to the point where it’s getting too big for it. Any upper jaw Bichir outside of the teugelsi, ornate, and weeksii, imho can be kept in a 40 breeder if the stocking is low and maintenance is kept up. If you can get a bigger tank go for it but the dimensions are more important than the gallonage. 75 gallon (4 Ft by 18 inch) for 1 upper jaw Bichir or a small group would be ideal and 150 g would be best for a larger group (5 ft by 24 inch).

 

[Milingu]

I pronounce it “polly-terus” (the p is silent like in pterodactyl).

Good idea, but an important point is missing.

In Greek both letters are pronounced. In English, a word cannot begin with a cluster of consonants, so the p in the pterodactyl is silent. But in Polypterus the p is between syllables so it can be pronounced. The same as you say the “p” in the helicopter, even though it comes from “helico” and “pter”.

 

[Zmouvek]

Good idea, but an important point is missing.

In Greek both letters are pronounced. In English, a word cannot begin with a cluster of consonants, so the p in the pterodactyl is silent. But in Polypterus the p is between syllables so it can be pronounced. The same as you say the “p” in the helicopter, even though it comes from “helico” and “pter”.

So it's Polly-p-terus? or is it like polli'p-terus

 

[giseok jung]

I would say the smallest in "Species" level is P. mokelembembe, which barely reach 30cm in the wild but if we goes into "Population" level, I would say P. senegalus from Ghana region is the smallest.
They are very rarely seen in the hobby but all of mine stop growing around 20~23cm (I have about 5 of them for more than 3 years) but already maetured enough to breed.

 

[FrancisFloe]

Smallest growing species technically is the Albino Senegal since genetically most do not surpass 6-7 inch. A lot of the captive breed upper jaw species like Senegals, polli, Palmas, delhezi also do not get that big maxing out around 8-12 inch.

Wait really?...Does albinism affect their growth?? I always noticed that cuz I've had albinos twice and all the time they are small. My first one I got with a normal bichir, the albino was larger but couple months later the normal senegal got bigger first, then I got another albino, at the petshop they were like semi short body, and ofc I picked the longest one, so I guess albinism also gives them a bit of short body gene?? I dont kinda like the short body but I have no choice.

 

[tlindsey]

Wait really?...Does albinism affect their growth?? I always noticed that cuz I've had albinos twice and all the time they are small. My first one I got with a normal bichir, the albino was larger but couple months later the normal senegal got bigger first, then I got another albino, at the petshop they were like semi short body, and ofc I picked the longest one, so I guess albinism also gives them a bit of short body gene?? I dont kinda like the short body but I have no choice.

No more albino senegal for me because of the same experience 3 separate times.

 

[Caveden]

Wait really?...Does albinism affect their growth?? I always noticed that cuz I've had albinos twice and all the time they are small. My first one I got with a normal bichir, the albino was larger but couple months later the normal senegal got bigger first, then I got another albino, at the petshop they were like semi short body, and ofc I picked the longest one, so I guess albinism also gives them a bit of short body gene?? I dont kinda like the short body but I have no choice.

It’s not albinism that affects their growth, think it’s more of continuous inbreeding OF the albino Senegal due to popular demand that cause cb albino senegals to max out at a smaller length than what they should be at.

theoretically polypterus mokelembembe should be the smallest bichir. But now the most common smallest bichir would be albino senegals due to bad inbreeding practices, reaching only 7-9” in length on average.

 

[FrancisFloe]

It’s not albinism that affects their growth, think it’s more of continuous inbreeding OF the albino Senegal due to popular demand that cause cb albino senegals to max out at a smaller length than what they should be at.

theoretically polypterus mokelembembe should be the smallest bichir. But now the most common smallest bichir would be albino senegals due to bad inbreeding practices, reaching only 7-9” in length on average.

Ohhhh that makes sense I kinda feel bad for them