Vieja Zonatus and Polypterus

[jaws7777]

I know that the zonatus are heavy hitters. But im thinking about moving some fish around and wanted to ask the question even though i probably already know the answer.

I have a small group of zonatus in a 75 gal. Once i figure out the one i want to keep the rest will be rehomed. At that point you think i could get away with keeping a few polys in this tank ? The zonatus are between 1.5 and maybe 2.5 inches. Polys are small as well.

This would only need to work for the next year or so then the the zonatus will be moved to a 150 gal and polys would stay in the 75.

Anyone tried this ?

 

[Rafini]

Polys can be kept just fine with cichlids, only issue I find is that they do struggle to find food sometimes. cichlids are so enthusiastic with feeding that anything you put down for the bichirs will be gone before they get the chance to eat it.

I would try feeding the bichirs at night, they cruise around looking for food after lights out. another option is hand feeding with smelt or something like that, I had an ornate that was more than happy to be hand fed. small bichirs fatten up very easy on feeders.

what species are you looking to keep? I have never had any issues with Senegals and cichlids. even ornates work well in my experiences

 

[jaws7777]

Im keeping mostly upper jaws and a couple of lower jaws with a pearsei and het and have no issues.

The question was more about zonatus and if anyone has tried keeping them with polys.
I once tried it with an argentea and it didmt work out

 

[Rafini]

I used to have a synspilum and a strange looking Bifa/fenestratus. pretty sure it was a hybrid, he was in with the senegal and ornate I mentioned earlier, he didn`t really bother them. sens are very quick when they want to be

 

[jaws7777]

Interesting combo man. When i teied to add a del to an argentea tank his bit half the tail off

 

[Rafini]

Yeah that tank had a bit of everything, it was a 225g 3ft wide aquarium I was growing out different combinations of fish to see what would work out and moving the others out.
I learnt that champsochromis caeruleus aka the malawi trout cichlid cohabs extremely well with central americans.

I find senegals were the best tankmates because they are more active and less sedentry, but I added woodwork and caves that were too small for the other fish to get into. the sun catfish I had and bichirs would rest in the caves.

 

[jaws7777]

I could def see that working in a 225 but right now im working with a 75 for the next 6 to 9 months then the zonatus will get a 150. Probably wont last

Just wanted to see if someone tried this before i guess not