Couple of Poly Questions for the Bichir Guru's

[wednesday13]

I think not too many people realize that Congo Congicus can also show head markings too (one feature people point out on Lake Tanganyika). Congo ones are definitely more sensitive to substrate/background when it comes to coloring up while the Lake Tanganyika generally will color up very easily on any substrate (that’s their pro).
Also it also comes down to personal preference whether or not you care about little details like the facial/head markings.

Congo ones are still my favorite since they seem to have a thicker/better headshape and for me, headshape is the number 1 thing I look at when buying my Polypterus. (Goes back to preference).

anyway I just wanted to show examples of Congo ones with nice head/facial marking since generally we always see washed out Congo congicus all over the internet. Doesn’t do them any justice.
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Killer representation man… hat off to u as always in this department. Had no idea the congos could look like this. Shows my lack of knowledge

 

[Hao]

Wow! I had no idea the Congo Congicus could have such amazing patterns and you're right the head pattern is pretty sick. So Gisela/Tanganyika don't get those head patterns? Hard to describe it's almost like a starburst pattern? And you're right I've never seen Congos with so much pattern. Those poor Congicus, people doing them dirty. Man, my slang is atrocious. Every time I try to type unfiltered I cringe. And that substrate in the last pic, what is it a mix of black and tan sand?

Lake Tanganyika do have head/facial markings as well (more commonly seen on them since they color up better usually). I can totally understand why people see a fully colored Lake Tanganyika and think its a new species/different variation compared to a washed out Congo. But once you see a fully colored up Congo, the differences aren't too significant. As for the substrate, I'll tag you on another thread.

 

[koltsixx]

Lake Tanganyika do have head/facial markings as well (more commonly seen on them since they color up better usually). I can totally understand why people see a fully colored Lake Tanganyika and think its a new species/different variation compared to a washed out Congo. But once you see a fully colored up Congo, the differences aren't too significant. As for the substrate, I'll tag you on another thread.

Thanks again @ Hao for clearing that up. Makes me think I need at least one representative of each. Again, wow on the difference between your Congos and the others I've seen online. I'm thinking Tanganyika first then Congo and Sp. Kouloton from Toyin, I'm also feeling the itch for another PBB and Dabola.

 

[Hao]

Thanks again @ Hao for clearing that up. Makes me think I need at least one representative of each. Again, wow on the difference between your Congos and the others I've seen online. I'm thinking Tanganyika first then Congo and Sp. Kouloton from Toyin, I'm also feeling the itch for another PBB and Dabola.

Only 2 of those photos belong to me. Other 3 I pulled it off the internet haha. Yep bichirs will get addicting. Good luck.

 

[koltsixx]

Only 2 of those photos belong to me. Other 3 I pulled it off the internet haha. Yep bichirs will get addicting. Good luck.

Bruh, you're evil. You don't think I've peeped you playing devils advocate in the Marketplace. buy it, buy it. Now you sharing and pulling pics to get me Congo fever. I think I've realized too late cause I'm pretty sure I'm already addicted. Cold poly sweats here I come.

 

[beau1990]

They certainly are the Pringles of the hobby I think once you pop you just can't stop

 

[koltsixx]

Finally got the Lake Tanganyika Congicus/Gisela from Wes fugupuff and he is thick boi. That boi is thick. I'm definitely hooked. I'm usually a catfish guy but have been broadening my kept species recently and have been getting into these guys and back into Gars. It's been interesting watching them settle in. The PBB again is easily the most confident, the Endli Dabola has become more comfortable and is hiding less, the Congi is currently being shy which surprised me. It's also funny when I see some of the description on how to differentiate Poly species, I wind up having a hard time telling them apart in pics but owning them changes things for me at least as far as the species I have now. Same thing happened with Hydrolycus and Hoplias species for me. As I kept different species it became easy for me to differentiate them even in pics.

Each species has a different attraction for me. The PBB I thought it'd be their pattern but currently look wise the Endli Dabola is my favorite. The PBB has the confidence though and I like that. The Congi is just a unit though, you can't see it in the vid but he is really thick, and his head is beastly.

 

[Hao]

Finally got the Lake Tanganyika Congicus/Gisela from Wes fugupuff and he is thick boi. That boi is thick. I'm definitely hooked. I'm usually a catfish guy but have been broadening my kept species recently and have been getting into these guys and back into Gars. It's been interesting watching them settle in. The PBB again is easily the most confident, the Endli Dabola has become more comfortable and is hiding less, the Congi is currently being shy which surprised me. It's also funny when I see some of the description on how to differentiate Poly species, I wind up having a hard time telling them apart in pics but owning them changes things for me at least as far as the species I have now. Same thing happened with Hydrolycus and Hoplias species for me. As I kept different species it became easy for me to differentiate them even in pics.

Each species has a different attraction for me. The PBB I thought it'd be their pattern but currently look wise the Endli Dabola is my favorite. The PBB has the confidence though and I like that. The Congi is just a unit though, you can't see it in the vid but he is really thick, and his head is beastly.

Congrats on the pick up. How big is it? If you think it's thick now. Update us in a few months.

 

[koltsixx]

Congrats on the pick up. How big is it? If you think it's thick now. Update us in a few months.

Thanks enabler. Wes said 16 inches but he wasn't sure, the Congi isn't much longer if he is longer than the PBB and Endli Dabola but he is just so massive body wise. Update in a couple of months, now I'm a little scared.