I wasn't sure what was going to happen when I picked up my first Senegal. Now I have multiple Polys and a new tank for them. I'm not quite sure how it happened.
What's the fascination with polypterus
- Thread starter doviiman
- Start date
We have a ropefish because my 8 year old son fell in love with one at the LFS. At first I was freaked out by the snake look of it. But after watching it for a while, it was sweet and cute. When the neighbors come over, their first reaction is just like mine (uuh there is a snake in your tank...which is kinda cool too...I mean to see the reactions of the neighbors). But it doesn't take long for our little ropefish to win them over too. They are unique in the way they swim, hide, go to the surface for air and peek out from underneath things. He lets us know when he's hungry and with a little time, I think he would eat out of our fingers. He is just an awesome fish to watch. My son loves him like a pet dog or cat. I hope to get some ropefish friends for him soon.
They look menacing to me, but are fairly docile. They may not swim a lot, but when they do, it's very dragon-like. I tend to think they look more reptilian than eel-like which is their appeal to me. They vary in sizes which is good for anyone who would like to give Polys a try. And groups are possible while some large fish can be too aggressive with each other or other fish.
I personally love oddball fish. That being said my senegal bichir has a great personality and always looks at me when i watch the tank.
Im down with the Oddballs also. I have been slowly converting my Cichlid tank to house oddballs as I research them here on the forum..... Recently I spotted two small Senegals in an unmarked tank at a LFS. I wanted a different varient and I wish they had been bigger, but being the first I had ever found around here I scooped em up. One has been "schooling" with a group of corys for a few days now which seems bizarre. From my experience with the ropes, I know that these two will be a joy to watch as well!!!
Careful with the Corydoras and the Sen, when the sen gets bigger, there's a good chance it will try its luck and eat it. however Corydoras have spines at the end of their fins, which could get stuck in the bichirs mouth, killing both, so caution here. Also, other varients of bichirs are neat looking, imo senegals are the best home aquarium fish, the most active, least spooky, etc. Of course, I love all bichirs, but yeah senegals are still a great fish.
I have owned a variety of beauties from rays to aro's. Somthing about poly's flips my switch. I first saw a small ornate and had t have one. As soon as I brought home my ornate it wasn't long before I had 3. They are the most active fsh in my tank to date. They greet me and come straight to my face to glass. I started trying to aquire a endi and tripped over a del. It probably is the most peculiar of my polys (which is why I can't part with the little qwerk). Finally, I located my endi's the prehistoric look and potential size was an easy draw. Now their digging in the sand and creeper attitudes sealed their fate to my tank permanently.
Mind you, I will aquire and part with fish that I find, fall short of my expectations (offen at a loss). This has never happened with my crew of poly's!
Mind you, I will aquire and part with fish that I find, fall short of my expectations (offen at a loss). This has never happened with my crew of poly's!
