Lazy Palmas

[palmasbichir]

That's my Dinoasaur Eel, Elvis. When I got him about a week ago, he seemed to have an overabundance of energy; he'd swim rapidly back and fourth through the tank, launch himself from the water, etc. Now, however, he seems to have lost his enthusiasm. I understand Palmas Bichir is a nocturnal species, so perhaps he just does all of his swimming around at night. He's fed frozen brine shrimp twice a day and has a favourite place to hide. I guess the question is, are these eels typically lethargic, or does Elvis need a kick-start? I'm planning on raising the temperature of the water a little, since it's winter in Ohio, and though my room is warm, the water is probably cooler than he'd like.

 

[astroboy]

What you actually have there is a juvenile polypterus senegal, not one of the 3 species of palmas bichirs.

They should be pretty active, its probably just gotten accustomed to its surroundings. Although noctural, senegals are probably one of the most active bichirs, i don't think you have anything to worry about.
And regarding temperature, I keep my bichir tanks at ~81 F

Great choice in fish!

 

[beblondie]

You might want to vary its diet some also read this for ideas
Live foods : guppies , rosey red minnows, ghost shrimp, earthworms
frozen: bloodworms, mysis shrimp,brine shrimp , krill, squid and frozen silversides
some will take pellets, lean meaty foods such as beefheart are good too
but you need to balance their diet for nutrition so vary the diet, not just one
thing.How much to feed them ? Feed them until their belly bows slightly.
and skipping a meal will not hurt them remember in the wild food is not
always available.A nice round bichir is a happy bichir