Who is Eating My Congos?

[jeffthefish]

In my 100 gallon I have 1 X. nigri and some polys: P. senegalus, P. ornatipinnis, P. delhezi, P. endlicheri, and P. retropinnis, all between 6 and 8 inches. I've also got a school of Congo Tetras, but they keep disappearing. I can't figure out who might be doing it.

I'm posting in this forum because I strongly suspect it's the Knife. He has a tendency to "snap at" the bichirs when they come close to him. He'll open his mouth and lunge at them and sort of gum them. It doesn't look like he's hurting them, as there are never any marks.

This is my first knife, and nothing I've read tells me either way. Does anyone have any experience in this? Would an African Knife kill Congo Tetras?

 

[benzjamin13]

I think it may be the Bichirs more. I've seen my friend's tank...that he got from me that had 5 Congo Tetras and an Albino Senegal Bichir. He now has 3 Congos left. And it doesn't seem like it's been that long.

 

[is300zx]

I also think it's the bichirs. An ornate and endli can easily hunt down and swallow a congo tetra.

 

[santoury]

Yep - it would be the bichirs.

African knives love small livebearers and small tetras, but would likely not go for a congo.

 

[MistirE]

I have to agree possibly the birchirs, how big is your tank? Maybe try a tank divider for a little while and single out the predetor, then you can have all the proof you need

 

[jeffthefish]

Hm. That's interesting. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank whoever it was on the bichir forum who recommended congo tetras as tankmates. :-/

MisterE, my tank is 100 gallons, 4ft. long.

 

[benzjamin13]

Hm. That's interesting. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank whoever it was on the bichir forum who recommended congo tetras as tankmates. :-/

MisterE, my tank is 100 gallons, 4ft. long.

They're pretty good tanks mate, providing that they're big enough.

 

[dougefresh]

Hmm nice stocklist but i say its definetly the polys......Me and my brother tried to put my 5" ornate, 5" delhezi, and 4" senegal in his tank with his 2" frontosas and within ten minutes the ornate already ate one........

 

[stephen92]

i hav a clown that is about 6 inches long with an ornate bichir about 5 inches,a albino tiger oscar 4 inches, and just added a frontosa that is about 4 inches.how come the frontosa is pickin on the knife??

 

[jordanlewis100]

because he can! I bet the other fish will bite back! Also have you got enough hiding places for all the fish? I was thinking about adding a front to my tank that also houses a royal clown,oscars,black snakehead,sun cat,gibbiceps plec and a fire eel!