First Polypterus: need advice!

[Polyaddict86]

Sounds like I could feed him a bit more. But his belly gets so round I worry about overfeeding. Or is that fine?

If feeding to much it might get a digestive problem, feeding once a day should be enough, i have 16 polys growing and they range from 1”-3” i dont feed every day cause i want them to have the time to digest the food.

Its better that we control their feeding habits cause this CB poly dont know when to stop eating, worst case is if they dont digest their food properly they intend to get bloat which can turn deadly, ive seen them go belly up and try to swim down but cant keep them selves down, they cant swim properly and cant get to the surface properly to get air and end up dying.

So i highly recommend to control the feeding, they will grow eventually no need to rush it, just male sure water quality is good also for better growth.

 

[kno4te]

Can feed every other day or every 2 days which I do now. It allows time to make sure everything gets digested and passes through. It’ll still grow and get big.

Would take Polyaddict86 advice. Keep the water clean and increase ur water changes. If growth is needed.

 

[elbereth]

Thank you for such a detailed explanation. This is exactly the kind of information a beginner needs to know and yet is glossed over in bichir care guides.

 

[jaws7777]

Great advice given. No need to over feed. Clean water is more important

 

[elbereth]

I bought some Julidochromis Marlieri juveniles today. They're in a separate tank right now but I'm wondering if a grown mated pair would make good tankmates for the polypterus in a large tank. I see they have similar ph and temperature preferences and surely a grown 6" long Marliers Julie would be too big for even a bichir to eat.

 

[Alexkoj]

"Is there really no way to keep an ornate in a 36x18 for a year or so? I've fallen in love with the ones at my LFS. =("

No one can tell you what to do. Only what we "would" do. I dont trust these fish to the point that i used to duct tape my lids closed and tape peices of plexiglass over any openings. So for me keeping a poly in an open tank regardless how low the water is kept is something i wouldnt think about doing

Hey J jaws7777 , do you notice a significant rise in temp in covered tanks v uncovered tanks?

E elbereth if you have an ornate, a 'full grown' cichlid at 6' will eventually start looking like a real juicy french fry

 

[jaws7777]

Alexkoj I do. Even when I kept my sumps uncovered I noticed the heaters working harder to keep up. It's heatloss from evaporation.

 

[elbereth]

Hey J jaws7777 , do you notice a significant rise in temp in covered tanks v uncovered tanks?

E elbereth if you have an ornate, a 'full grown' cichlid at 6' will eventually start looking like a real juicy french fry

I have a delhezi.

 

[elbereth]

I guess my question as to whether cichlids would be compatible with a polypterus has to do not only with size but with temperament. Being semi-aggressive, I thought perhaps the cichlids would be able to defend their patch sufficiently for the polypterus to stop seeing them as prey.

 

[elbereth]

Time for an update! My delhezi is doing well in his new 30 gallon tank. I feed him tilapia, bloodworms and Hikari carnivore pellets. He hasn't gotten much longer as far as I can tell but he's certainly gained in girth.

Seeing as you've all been so helpful, perhaps you could give me some advice on two more issues. He likes to perch on the internal filter a lot. I've seen some other bichirs do so at the LFS but I just wanted to make this is normal behaviour and not a sign that he doesn't like the water quality. (Though I'm still doing massive water changes twice or thrice a week so the water is quite pristine.)

And could I add two or three small Labidochromis caeruleus to his tank? They'll be bigger than him so he won't be able to eat them but not big enough to intimidate him I hope. Or will they nip at him? (I've given up on the idea of adding some Julies to his tank because they're becoming quite aggressive.)

Thanks again!