View Full Version : Can you tell me what this fish is?
NJ Devils Fan
12-01-2002, 8:22 PM
My friend had a fish awhile back, but he returned it after having it a few months because it was eating the other fish. I think it's scientific name was a polyipterus(no idea how to spell it). It was a few inches long and very thin, almost like a rope fish. Can someone give my some info?
rjl420
12-01-2002, 8:30 PM
bichirs, polypterus. there are several types, I have a delhizi right now at about 8 inches, I've also kept senegals and ornates in the past. they aren't quite as aggressive as snakeheads but will eat fish that can fit in their mouths. the ideal habitat would be a planted tank with neutral pH and subdued lighting as they are more active at night (not neccessarilly nocturnal though). I feed them earthworms/nightcrawlers bloodworms, beefheart, frozen krill and sometimes ghost shrimp, I also keep a handful of mosquito fish in the tank at all times.
HTH
Go kings Go!
polypterus senegalus, senegal bichir ......... almost a dead twin to a ropefish, a little thicker, a couple extra fins and i believe the dorsal is multiples as opposed to a single dorsal on a ropefish.
also notorious escape artists. try a websearch, there is some excellent info, i read alot on mine in the 2 weeks i had it. (it escaped.)
sChArF
12-02-2002, 6:14 AM
Bichirs are from the same family as rope fish.
they are more active at night.
Check out some of my pics, i used to own all of thoese. but they died due to mala fix and worms.
http://arofanatics.com/members/scharf/