Any Idea What This Is?

[bluexeon]

Ive had it a while in my tank. When i bought it from a pet shop i always use near me i asked the guy what it was, he says god knows, just got it in a delivery this morning, think its come in by accident, i think its some sort of eel loach thing. I took it anyways. Its really quiet, seems to like trashing the tank during the night and lives quite peacefully in my cichlid tank.

 

[shroob]

Looks like a senegal polypterus to me. What size tank/occupants are they with?

 

[bluexeon]

Looks like a senegal polypterus to me. What size tank/occupants are they with?

Its about a 100 litre tank (dunno what that is in gallons off hand) and lives with about 6 cichlids at the moment. All between and inch to 2 inch long. Ive had it about 5 months now. It just hides most of the time, was really rare to get a photo actually cos i never see it

 

[beblondie]

its a juvenile Polypterus senegalus.-Anne

 

[shroob]

A 100 litre tank wont be big enough for it I'm afraid. Adults reach around 12".

Any idea what type of cichlids you have the polypterus with? I'm abit concerned about its inactivity, senegals are one of the most active polypterus and the ones I have are always out and about.

 

[bluexeon]

A 100 litre tank wont be big enough for it I'm afraid. Adults reach around 12".

Any idea what type of cichlids you have the polypterus with? I'm abit concerned about its inactivity, senegals are one of the most active polypterus and the ones I have are always out and about.

Theyre mostly malawi cichlids. I dont see it a lot because its always hiding in the rocks with it being a cichlid tank, it tends to come out and be active later at night when its darker or when its hungry. It looks healthy and eats well. It trashes the tank every night, im constantly flattening the gravel where it digs it up and throws the plants around.

 

[beblondie]

I htink you may be blaming the wrong fish for all this destruction bichirs will genneraly root around looking for food they are not known for uprooting plants and digging pits however the tankmates are-Anne

 

[england]

As everyones said its a senegal, Mate the destruction within the tank is deffinatly coming from the malawi's as cichlids have a well known reputation of destroying beautifully set up tanks, Cichlids will dig pits in tanks and actually move rocks across a tank if they dont like it where you put it.....
Malawi tanks should really be set up like a rock only tank.....go to the african section and look at the sticky posts at top...actually here click the link...

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=110

 

[bluexeon]

As everyones said its a senegal, Mate the destruction within the tank is deffinatly coming from the malawi's as cichlids have a well known reputation of destroying beautifully set up tanks, Cichlids will dig pits in tanks and actually move rocks across a tank if they dont like it where you put it.....
Malawi tanks should really be set up like a rock only tank.....go to the african section and look at the sticky posts at top...actually here click the link...

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=110"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=110[/URL]

Its set up like a rock tank, I think its because theyre only little, i couldnt imagine them moving rocks like they do in the tank. Im not too fussed about them trashing the place, i just hope none of them get squashed while theyre doing it.

 

[foley69]

well in actual fact a 100 litre tank isnt really big enough for a malawi set-up let alone a senagl bichir

 

[bluexeon]

well in actual fact a 100 litre tank isnt really big enough for a malawi set-up let alone a senagl bichir

ive only got 4 cichlids in it

 

[shroob]

well in actual fact a 100 litre tank isnt really big enough for a malawi set-up let alone a senagl bichir

ive only got 4 cichlids in it

Numbers arn't the only issue, its the size of the fish and the environment they require. I think the minimum people recommend for a malawi tank is 3ft. The most commonly kept malawi's are mbuna and require no less than 3ft.

What species of cichlid do you have in the tank?

 

[simonas]

your Bichir will require a meaty diet as well, my bichir eats lancefish prawns and catfish pellet

 

[beblondie]

That cute lil bichir should reach 10-12''stl when fully grown without knowing the species of the cichlids i have no idea whattheir eventual size will be.
But you are looking at a much bigger tank in your future as all the fish you have can be very territorial when they reach adulthood-Anne

 

[8inary]

i have two at circa 10" - see the video

[URL="http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLGa8d9L1SY...re=channel_page"]http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLGa8d9L1SY...re=channel_page[/URL]

also, dont you find it concerning that a shop would sell something they dont know about? I know to most of us on here, its clear what it is
however, they didnt, just a thought