First Polypterus: need advice!
- Thread starter elbereth
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- polypterus
You can try... the risk is always there even though bichirs are opportunistic predators rather than active hunters. Also depends on whether you've weaned your bichir onto pellets.
I would say no to labidochromis, inever had one but i read and asked around and they stay 3” max sometimes smaller.
Oh I know: I've seen plenty such pictures. I'm more worried the Labs might bully him!! He'll be the smaller of the two unlike in your picture here. He can't even swallow a small pellet in one go yet. (He eats them with relish btw. I didn't even have to try.) I know there's always a risk one could nip at the other or vice versa but that's very broad. I'm hoping to get some specific info from somebody who has kept the two together. Yes, I know he won't stay small forever but he doesn't look like he'll be doubling in size within a month either. I can always rehome the Labs once he gets a bit bigger.
So to clarify: I'm asking about a temporary, not permanent arrangement.
So to clarify: I'm asking about a temporary, not permanent arrangement.
I would personally worry about aggression from the labs to the poly. I haven't done this exact arrangement before but I have kept mbuna before.
That's exactly what worries me. That the cichlids will be too aggressive and the bichir, for all it's predatory tendencies, is not an aggressive fish.
If I were starting fresh I wouldn't mess around with mixing cichlids with polypterus. I'm not saying it can't work as I do have a pair of Polleni cichlids in with my polypterus but I've had these fish for 2 years, I know their temperament very well.
Thanks kewpiefishypewpie. That's the kind of specific info I'm looking for.
