What the heck!?!

[Flamingflowerz]

Hello all,

So I went to a buddy's house the other day, and she had a bowl (maybe 2 gallons or so?) and inside was a birchir (maybe senegal)? She said she got it from Walmart, feeds it bloodworms and shrimp, and that she hopes he doesn't grow much larger than the bowl it's inside, though she may buy it a 10 gallon aquarium eventually. Apparently she's had him for over a year now, and changes the water once a week. How the heck does that even work? The thing is about 3-4 inches now. I'm a pretty amateur fish keeper, but I figured if you tried to keep something like that in a bowl it would turn up dead pretty soon? I'm secretly tempted to grab one myself, but I know they get pretty huge.

 

[Outlaw22]

Im surprised its still alive if your buddy was telling the truth about how long she had it for. First thing that comes in my head is how it didnt jump out yet? Im hoping mines dont jump out with every inch on the tank covered.

 

[wrslrcichlid]

I'm no birchir expert, but I call BS! The water would get so disgusting in a week, and if she is really that poor at fishkeeping I doubt she is treating the water. She needs to be exposed to the true requirements for this fish. Then she can have the opportunity to provide a better home, rehome, or sadly continue with her terrible ways.

 

[baconmeupscotty]

Disgusting. They are very hardy so I'm not surprised it's lived for a while. A 40 gallon breeder is the minimum for a Senegal but bigger is better. I hope you can talk your friend into giving it away if she isn't willing to provide even the minimum of care.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[Dr.B]

The damage is done it is most likely stunted, and cannot get larger. I'd like to get some pics to see if there is any visual damage like a hunched back or deformed tail etc..,

 

[MN_Rebel]

It's most likely stunted but I'm not surprised that it's still alive in that bowl for a year. Unfortunately it's a common problem when it comes to newbies keeping a large fish in tiny aquariums and it's not uncommon for stunted fish that can survive in horrible conditions for longer periods. When I say survive, I do not meant thriving.

 

[Flamingflowerz]

Dr. B, it looks like the fish in your profile picture. My phone takes crappy pictures though I could try to get one, however it doesn't look very different from the pictures of young ones I see online. The top of the bowl is uncovered, and the thing was swimming like crazy the entire time I was over.