Tell Me What I Need To Know About Polypterus Endlicheri Please.

[ZOO YORK 207]

I am thinking about picking up one or two for my new 180.

Can they live peacefully with Cichla?
How big do they get?
What to feed them?
How stable are they at about 12"+?
Would they work with the stock list below?

1 Cichla temensis 15"
2 Cichla monoculus 12"
1 Silver Arowana 14-15"
1 Florida gar 13"
1 rtc x tsn 13"

And anything else I need to know before getting one.

 

[Jesse]

Can they live peacefully with Cichla?

Yes, they're predatory but generally peaceful. I'd be concerned about them getting enough food though w/ the notoriously gluttonous Cichla. Sinking pellets would ensure that your bichirs get food.

How big do they get?

30" max for P. endlicheri endlicheri. 36" max for P. endlicheri congicus

What to feed them?

They will accept most meaty foods, including but not limited to prawns, krill, earthworms, sinking pellets, etc.

How stable are they at about 12"+?

Pretty stable. However, there are marked differences between endlicheri and congicus and between the various variants of endlicheri. For example, Guinea variants tend to have more contrast between the bars and body, Volta variants tend to have far less contrast, Chad variants are somewhere in between.

Would they work with the stock list below?

1 Cichla temensis 15"
2 Cichla monoculus 12"
1 Silver Arowana 14-15"
1 Florida gar 13"
1 rtc x tsn 13"

If not big enough to be swallowed by the RTC/TSN hybrid or Cichla and they're getting enough food, I don't see a problem.

And anything else I need to know before getting one.

Make sure they have surface access, as they are obligate air breathers. Also, make sure your tank is covered securely, as they can slip through small gaps and end up dried up behind your tank.

 

[marvinbaker]

Hi ya, see i've got you interest in the endli's going!! think the rtc/tsn could be the biggest obstacle. if he decides he's a bit hungry that could be a problem. I've got both congicus and endli endli's and i'd go for the endli endli's due to i find they're more aggressive in finding food and so unlikely to have a problem getting food from the cichla's whereas i hardly see my congicus eat as it only takes what's left right in front of it's nose (mind you, it's still grown from 4" to 14" in 3 months!).

the congi does get bigger and looks more ancient crocodile likebut the endli endli has much more vibrant bands. 1st pic is my congicus and 2nd one of the endli endli

 

[ZOO YORK 207]

Thanks guys and how much are they normally? Would they be fine in a bare bottom tank?

 

[Infblue]

they'd be fine in bare bottom tank. i would provide some hiding spots for it though.

 

[ZOO YORK 207]

I am going ot buy some drift wood for it.