I have a group of ctenopoma in my tank, I like them almost as much as the polys
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The Poly Compatibility Thread
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I have a group of ctenopoma in my tank, I like them almost as much as the polys
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I found this in the sticky by beblondie.
Compatibility, the reality
When asked "will they get along ?" Sometimes the answer is as simple as yes or no, The truth is we speak in generalities some fish in theory should be ok together some not.The long broad sweeping statements are flawed as they are generalities I think we all know generalities are just opinions , but because we are dealing with animals each with its own personality its flawed.This question is harder with predatory fish, due to their natural habits ,predation! where they naturaly feed on the smaller , the weaker and the sick, claim territory and defend it . The actual answer is we don't know it's our best guess that they should or shouldn't get along.I know one of my bichirs is highly agressive which is completely different from what i have been told, so he's in his own tank , my others all conspecifics seem fine together which is oppisite from what i have read and been told. Its a case of trial and error to some extent and depends on the individual animal. When introducing a new animal into the territory of an established animal try rearanging the tank it tends to remove reference points for territoriality but most important watch for trouble and stop it before it goes to far.
Tankmates
Below is a partial list of possible tankmates for the small to midsized bichirs species.Parameters I used are based on size, temperment and availabilty . And i believe is a good starting point for you to do further research before purchasing -Anne
CATFISH
Dusky Pimelodid-Pimelodus blochii
Giraffe Catfish-Auchenoglanis occidentalis
Dwarf giraffe Catfish-Parauchenoglanis macrostoma
Giant Whiptail Catfish-Sturisoma aureum
Synodontis alberti
Synodontis angelicus
Synodontis pleurops
Synodontis decorus
Synodontis eupterus
Synodontis notatus
Synodontis brichardi
Synodontis nigrita
Synodontis flavitaeniata
Synodontis soloni
Liver Catfish-Heteropneustes fossilis
Black Lancer-Bagrichthys hypselopterus
PLECOS
Bristlenose-Ancistrus dolichopterus
CHARACINS
Silver dollar-Metynnis argenteus
Distichodus notospilus-Distichodus notospilus
Congo tetra-Phenacogrammus interruptus
Black-Barred Myleus-Myleus schomburgki
Filament tetra-Bryconaethiop microstoma
EELS
Peacock Eel- Macrognathus aculeatus
CICHLIDS *(see note)
Dicus-Symphysodon discus
Angelfish-Pterophyllum ssp.
Two-Spot Cichlid-Cichlasoma bimaculatum
Tilapia joka-Tilapia joka
Oscar-Astronotus ocellatus
Severum-Cichlasoma severum
Kribensis- Pelvicachromis pulcher
Sparkling Earth Eater-Satanoperca acuticeps
Blue acara-Aequidens pulchrus
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Blood Parrot Cichlid-Hybrid no scientifc name
Blue-Eye Cichlid-Cichlasoma spilurum
Festivum-Mesonauta festivus
African Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara nyassae
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Bandit Cichlid-Aequidens geayi
Blockhead Cichlid-Steatocranus casuarius
Callolepis Cichlid-Cichlasoma callolepis
Freiberg's Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
Keyhole Cichlid-Cleithracara maronii
Port Acara-Aequidens portalegrensis
Uaru- Uaru amphicanthiodes
LABYRINTH FISHES
Ctenopoma .acutirostre-Ctenopoma .acutirostre
Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus-Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus
Ctenopoma kingsleyae-Ctenopoma kingsleyae
CYPRINIDS
Variegated Shark-Labeo variegatus
Bala Shark-Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Red-Finned Cigar Shark-Leptobarbus hoevenii
Red-linned torpedo barb-Puntius denisonii
Tinfoil Barb-Barbodes schwanefeldii
Chinese Algae Eater-Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Clown Loach-Botia macracantha
MISC.
African mudfish-Phractolaemus ansorgei
Black Ghost Knifefish -Apteronotus albifrons
Elephantnose-Gnathonemus petersii
African butterfly-Pantondon bucholzi
African Knifefish-Xenomystus nigri
(*note :to avoid agression do not have breeding pairs )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is a list of possible tankmates for the larger bichir species.This is not a full list of compatable fish but a general idea.
Note some are on both lists.As always research before buying .Based on adult maximum sizes.
Just a note an adult lower jaw bichir is capable of opening it mouth almost the diameter of its body.
Possible tankmate for P.endilcherii , P.bichir, P.congicus and P. Bichir lapradei
CHARACINS
Silver dollar - Metynnis argenteus
African pike- Hepsetus odoe
Freshwater Barracuda - Ctenolucius hujeta
Distichodus notospilus- Distichodus notospilus
Distichodus fasciolatus - Distichodus fasciolatus
Nurse tetra - Alestes nurse
African tigerfish - Hydrocynus goliath
Vampire Characin-Hydrolycus scomberoides
CICHLIDS(*see note)
Oscar - Astronotus ocellatus
Umbee- Cichlasoma umbriferum
Golden Tropheops- Pseudotropheus tropheops
Black Belt Cichlid - Cichlasoma maculicauda
Blue Flash -Thorichthys aureus
Uaru - Uaru amphicanthiodes
Carpinte Cichlid - Cichlasoma carpinte
Chrysonotus Cichlid -Copadichromis chrysonotus
Chunky Hap- Protomelas annectens
Firemouth -Cichlasoma meeki
Guenther's Cichlid- Chromidotilapia guentheri guentheri
Haitian Cichlid- Cichlasoma haitiensis
Leopold's Angelfish- Pterophyllum leopoldi
Lifalili Jewel Cichlid- Hemichromis lifalili
Livingstoni's Nimbochromis-Nimbochromis livingstonii
Malawi Blue Dolphin -Cyrtocara moorii
Nicaragua Cichlid- Hypsophrys nicaraguensis
Nkata Cichlid- Copadichromis nkatae
Pasionis Cichlid- Cichlasoma pasionis
Rainbow Cichlid- Herotilapia multispinosa
Tiger Tilapia-Tilapia mariae
CATFISH
Dusky Pimelodid -Pimelodus blochii
Crystal-Eyed Catfish- Mystus wyckii
Banded Shovelnose Catfish- Brachyplatystoma juruense
Spotted Shovelnose-Hemisorubim platyrhynchos
Giraffe Catfish-Auchenoglanis occidentalis
Dwarf giraffe Catfish-Parauchenoglanis macrostoma
DATS
widebar datnoid- Datnioides pulcher 16''
Thinbar datnoid- Datnioides undecimradiatus 16''
Indonesian datnoid-Coius microlepis 18''
PLECOS
Adonis pleco-Acanthicus adonis
Black adonis-Acanthicus hystrix
GARS
Spotted gar -Lepisosteus ocula
Tropical Gar-Atractosteus tropicus
Shortnose Gar- Lepisosteus platostomus
KNIFEFISH
Clown Knifefish-Chitala chitala
African Knifefish- Xenomystus nigri
banded knifefise-Gymnotus carapo
LABYRINTHFISH
Giant Gourami- Osphronemus goramy
EELS
Tire Track Eel-Mastacembelus armatus
Peacock Eel-Macrognathus aculeatus
FW moray-Gymnothorax polyuranodon
Freshwater Moray Eel- Echidna rhodochilus
CYPRINIDS
Bala Shark-Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Red-Finned Cigar Shark-Leptobarbus hoevenii
Tinfoil Barb-Barbodes schwanefeldii
Chinese Algae Eater- Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Clown Loach- Botia macracantha
MISC.
Black Ghost Knifefish- Apteronotus albifrons
Elephantnose-Gnathonemus petersii
Black Devil Stingray-Potamotrygon leopoldi
Motoro Stingray-Potamotrygon motoro
(*note :to avoid agression do not have breeding pairs )
Compatibility, the reality
When asked "will they get along ?" Sometimes the answer is as simple as yes or no, The truth is we speak in generalities some fish in theory should be ok together some not.The long broad sweeping statements are flawed as they are generalities I think we all know generalities are just opinions , but because we are dealing with animals each with its own personality its flawed.This question is harder with predatory fish, due to their natural habits ,predation! where they naturaly feed on the smaller , the weaker and the sick, claim territory and defend it . The actual answer is we don't know it's our best guess that they should or shouldn't get along.I know one of my bichirs is highly agressive which is completely different from what i have been told, so he's in his own tank , my others all conspecifics seem fine together which is oppisite from what i have read and been told. Its a case of trial and error to some extent and depends on the individual animal. When introducing a new animal into the territory of an established animal try rearanging the tank it tends to remove reference points for territoriality but most important watch for trouble and stop it before it goes to far.
Tankmates
Below is a partial list of possible tankmates for the small to midsized bichirs species.Parameters I used are based on size, temperment and availabilty . And i believe is a good starting point for you to do further research before purchasing -Anne
CATFISH
Dusky Pimelodid-Pimelodus blochii
Giraffe Catfish-Auchenoglanis occidentalis
Dwarf giraffe Catfish-Parauchenoglanis macrostoma
Giant Whiptail Catfish-Sturisoma aureum
Synodontis alberti
Synodontis angelicus
Synodontis pleurops
Synodontis decorus
Synodontis eupterus
Synodontis notatus
Synodontis brichardi
Synodontis nigrita
Synodontis flavitaeniata
Synodontis soloni
Liver Catfish-Heteropneustes fossilis
Black Lancer-Bagrichthys hypselopterus
PLECOS
Bristlenose-Ancistrus dolichopterus
CHARACINS
Silver dollar-Metynnis argenteus
Distichodus notospilus-Distichodus notospilus
Congo tetra-Phenacogrammus interruptus
Black-Barred Myleus-Myleus schomburgki
Filament tetra-Bryconaethiop microstoma
EELS
Peacock Eel- Macrognathus aculeatus
CICHLIDS *(see note)
Dicus-Symphysodon discus
Angelfish-Pterophyllum ssp.
Two-Spot Cichlid-Cichlasoma bimaculatum
Tilapia joka-Tilapia joka
Oscar-Astronotus ocellatus
Severum-Cichlasoma severum
Kribensis- Pelvicachromis pulcher
Sparkling Earth Eater-Satanoperca acuticeps
Blue acara-Aequidens pulchrus
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Blood Parrot Cichlid-Hybrid no scientifc name
Blue-Eye Cichlid-Cichlasoma spilurum
Festivum-Mesonauta festivus
African Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara nyassae
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Bandit Cichlid-Aequidens geayi
Blockhead Cichlid-Steatocranus casuarius
Callolepis Cichlid-Cichlasoma callolepis
Freiberg's Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
Keyhole Cichlid-Cleithracara maronii
Port Acara-Aequidens portalegrensis
Uaru- Uaru amphicanthiodes
LABYRINTH FISHES
Ctenopoma .acutirostre-Ctenopoma .acutirostre
Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus-Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus
Ctenopoma kingsleyae-Ctenopoma kingsleyae
CYPRINIDS
Variegated Shark-Labeo variegatus
Bala Shark-Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Red-Finned Cigar Shark-Leptobarbus hoevenii
Red-linned torpedo barb-Puntius denisonii
Tinfoil Barb-Barbodes schwanefeldii
Chinese Algae Eater-Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Clown Loach-Botia macracantha
MISC.
African mudfish-Phractolaemus ansorgei
Black Ghost Knifefish -Apteronotus albifrons
Elephantnose-Gnathonemus petersii
African butterfly-Pantondon bucholzi
African Knifefish-Xenomystus nigri
(*note :to avoid agression do not have breeding pairs )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is a list of possible tankmates for the larger bichir species.This is not a full list of compatable fish but a general idea.
Note some are on both lists.As always research before buying .Based on adult maximum sizes.
Just a note an adult lower jaw bichir is capable of opening it mouth almost the diameter of its body.
Possible tankmate for P.endilcherii , P.bichir, P.congicus and P. Bichir lapradei
CHARACINS
Silver dollar - Metynnis argenteus
African pike- Hepsetus odoe
Freshwater Barracuda - Ctenolucius hujeta
Distichodus notospilus- Distichodus notospilus
Distichodus fasciolatus - Distichodus fasciolatus
Nurse tetra - Alestes nurse
African tigerfish - Hydrocynus goliath
Vampire Characin-Hydrolycus scomberoides
CICHLIDS(*see note)
Oscar - Astronotus ocellatus
Umbee- Cichlasoma umbriferum
Golden Tropheops- Pseudotropheus tropheops
Black Belt Cichlid - Cichlasoma maculicauda
Blue Flash -Thorichthys aureus
Uaru - Uaru amphicanthiodes
Carpinte Cichlid - Cichlasoma carpinte
Chrysonotus Cichlid -Copadichromis chrysonotus
Chunky Hap- Protomelas annectens
Firemouth -Cichlasoma meeki
Guenther's Cichlid- Chromidotilapia guentheri guentheri
Haitian Cichlid- Cichlasoma haitiensis
Leopold's Angelfish- Pterophyllum leopoldi
Lifalili Jewel Cichlid- Hemichromis lifalili
Livingstoni's Nimbochromis-Nimbochromis livingstonii
Malawi Blue Dolphin -Cyrtocara moorii
Nicaragua Cichlid- Hypsophrys nicaraguensis
Nkata Cichlid- Copadichromis nkatae
Pasionis Cichlid- Cichlasoma pasionis
Rainbow Cichlid- Herotilapia multispinosa
Tiger Tilapia-Tilapia mariae
CATFISH
Dusky Pimelodid -Pimelodus blochii
Crystal-Eyed Catfish- Mystus wyckii
Banded Shovelnose Catfish- Brachyplatystoma juruense
Spotted Shovelnose-Hemisorubim platyrhynchos
Giraffe Catfish-Auchenoglanis occidentalis
Dwarf giraffe Catfish-Parauchenoglanis macrostoma
DATS
widebar datnoid- Datnioides pulcher 16''
Thinbar datnoid- Datnioides undecimradiatus 16''
Indonesian datnoid-Coius microlepis 18''
PLECOS
Adonis pleco-Acanthicus adonis
Black adonis-Acanthicus hystrix
GARS
Spotted gar -Lepisosteus ocula
Tropical Gar-Atractosteus tropicus
Shortnose Gar- Lepisosteus platostomus
KNIFEFISH
Clown Knifefish-Chitala chitala
African Knifefish- Xenomystus nigri
banded knifefise-Gymnotus carapo
LABYRINTHFISH
Giant Gourami- Osphronemus goramy
EELS
Tire Track Eel-Mastacembelus armatus
Peacock Eel-Macrognathus aculeatus
FW moray-Gymnothorax polyuranodon
Freshwater Moray Eel- Echidna rhodochilus
CYPRINIDS
Bala Shark-Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Red-Finned Cigar Shark-Leptobarbus hoevenii
Tinfoil Barb-Barbodes schwanefeldii
Chinese Algae Eater- Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Clown Loach- Botia macracantha
MISC.
Black Ghost Knifefish- Apteronotus albifrons
Elephantnose-Gnathonemus petersii
Black Devil Stingray-Potamotrygon leopoldi
Motoro Stingray-Potamotrygon motoro
(*note :to avoid agression do not have breeding pairs )
In my experience s poly's worst enemy is a bigger poly. However all of my other fish couldnt even try to eat one of mine.
^ same with one of my cousins, after i sold him an old tank he got a senegal, then ordered a ornate online and it ended up being like 3 inches larger then advertised and ate it within a day, before he could setup a smaller tank for the 3 inch senegal (the ornate was easily 7-8 inches and advertised as 4-5 and he asked for a smaller one :l).
didnt see a blondie compatability thread, but nobody ever pointed it out to me so i doubt many others do haha. Its good to have one like this though, to share stories and personal experiences.
didnt see a blondie compatability thread, but nobody ever pointed it out to me so i doubt many others do haha. Its good to have one like this though, to share stories and personal experiences.
I keep several species, small and large there are lot's of options, but i can tell you a few to avoid
#1 no pleco's/flag tail sucker type fish, yes it can work sometimes for a long time but I can show you pictures of what happens when the sucker does land on a bichir and develops a taste for slime coat and it's not a happy sight to wake up too !
#2 Nothing with a girth smaller then the bichir, assume the bichir is hollow, if you can picture stuffing a tankmate into that space so can your bichir lol
I recommend against any silver colored fish, Large or small silver fish seem to trigger a feeding response, I also recommend against Ray's , smaller ones of course would fall prey to a ray , while my larger ones did not take long before they started chewing on my old ray's disk. I also find upper jaw species (especially ornates!) tend to be much more "curious" about new tankmates, and will often take test bites out of fish even if too large too swallow .
Other then that in my experience when poly's are very young/small (say under 6-8") you have to be a bit careful with aggressive fish or fin nippers because they will not defend themselves, larger Poly's on the other hand can hold there own with most tankmates and get along fine as long as they are too large to eat.
#1 no pleco's/flag tail sucker type fish, yes it can work sometimes for a long time but I can show you pictures of what happens when the sucker does land on a bichir and develops a taste for slime coat and it's not a happy sight to wake up too !
#2 Nothing with a girth smaller then the bichir, assume the bichir is hollow, if you can picture stuffing a tankmate into that space so can your bichir lol
I recommend against any silver colored fish, Large or small silver fish seem to trigger a feeding response, I also recommend against Ray's , smaller ones of course would fall prey to a ray , while my larger ones did not take long before they started chewing on my old ray's disk. I also find upper jaw species (especially ornates!) tend to be much more "curious" about new tankmates, and will often take test bites out of fish even if too large too swallow .
Other then that in my experience when poly's are very young/small (say under 6-8") you have to be a bit careful with aggressive fish or fin nippers because they will not defend themselves, larger Poly's on the other hand can hold there own with most tankmates and get along fine as long as they are too large to eat.
Oh yeah my ornate at 7 and a half just lets my ery ery red wolf push him around (literally) for a minute or so then hell spin around on him and scare him off, never had my ery ery red wolf actually bite my ornate
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Ya when they start to gain some size they can defiantly defend themselves. I used to have a big 15" oscar in with my endlies, the oscar tried only once to push around a 20" endli, and it nailed him, hit him in the side like a torpedo and rammed him straight into the side of the tank, my GF heard then thump in the next room !
Endlies are slow lazy creatures 90% of the time but when they explode it's like a rocket going off !
Endlies are slow lazy creatures 90% of the time but when they explode it's like a rocket going off !
hell yeah! my buddys endli blasts its feeders (he doesnt want to get it off live until larger because hes sketched out about starving it) its nuts, almost as fast as my red wolf haha
What I dont recommend are ghost shrimps. They may seem like snacks for big polys but when I tried placing some in my sen's tank (7" & 9") the s next day I saw the nostrils of my sens clipped off. Damn shrimps. They get pretty territorial and my sens were probably poking around too much. Fed the shrimps to my lap after that. Lol.
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Wow my polys destroy the ghost shrimp I give them. They never stand a chance.
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