I am looking to get another Polypterus but I have a senegal bichir that's only 7" at most and he is growing very slowly (I think he's special...), So chances are any poly I get will grow bigger than him pretty soon.
Is there any chance that a new poly could eat mine?
polys in general grow pretty slow once they hit that size man. don't worry as long as it aint small enough to fit in its mouth, they ain't gonna eat it
^ +1 tank size is important. I have a 6ft tank where I manage to house a 1' ornate with 4" juvenile lapradei, palma polli and endli peacefully.
The personality of the fish also plays a part (much like playing roulette), my ornate tend to have a gentle side. As a rule of thumb, as long as the other poly are above 3" and you have a large tank, it could work. When selecting one at the LFS, try to find one which is healthy and non-aggressive (laying peacefully minding it's own business).
DISCLAIMER : This is just a rule of thumb, try at your own risk. if the other poly turns out to be a cannibal, don't blame me.
If you really want to play it safe and not have the sene getting ate, stick with smaller species like, palmas polli, Palmas Palmas, Palmas Buettikoferi, or Retropinnis. Tank size, diet, and water quality play a big part in growth rates of bichirs. For Senegal and the others listed a 55-75G would be perfect, although going larger is good too. Vary their diet carnivor pellets and meaty food like frozen fish, krill, earthworms, ghost shrimp. And keep nitrates low. My senegal stayed at 7" or so for a few years it seemed then all of the sudden I just kinda noticed he had got much larger and finnally reached 11".
I have a 75 that They will be in, (the one is already in the 75 with a 9" sun cat). I will be definitely plan on sticking with the ones below the 24" range.
), So chances are any poly I get will grow bigger than him pretty soon.
