dino Bichir

A dino birchir?

Was it labeled dinosaur eel?

Its most likely a POLYPTERUS SENEGALUS aka Senegal Birchir.

I have 2 of them also. Mine were about 3 inches when I bought them in Feb 06 they're both about 7 or 8 inches now. How big are yours? They're supposed to get about 12 inches or so.

What do you feed them?

Yes, even though Polypterus senegalus only gets to 12 inches in length, that's still too big for the casual aquarist to keep in his home. Especially one as inexperienced as you, magafish, no offense. I'm just being objective here, based on our other posts.

As for my rant about bichirs in another of your threads, they hold a special place in my heart because they are an ancient group of fishes (kind of related to sturgeons) with many unique physiological adaptations, truly unlike any other fishes. When I said "they get huge" I was referring to the family of bichirs in general. They are not necessarily rare or endangered, but that doesn't mean kids should be keeping them in 29 gal tanks with a whole bunch of other random fish.

Even if 12 inches is relatively small for the group, bichirs are massive-bodied fish. It will get hefty around the middle, weighing a few pounds or so, I'm guessing. Meaning it will produce more waste than a 12 inch long moray eel, for instance.

I think you joined this forum because you want to learn and make better decisions. Do yourself and that fish a favor, let someone more qualified take it off your hands.

By the way, IceH20, I think you're probably a fine bichir owner because you've obviously got much more experience than little magafish.

Thanks Plah.. I learned all I know from sites like this.

magafish18... a good site to read up on birchirs is blinking on top of your screen. Monsterfish.com specialize in these type of fish. They have an entire forum dedicated to Polys.

Read up and learn...Yes a 29 is to small....

plah831 said:

Even if 12 inches is relatively small for the group, bichirs are massive-bodied fish. It will get hefty around the middle, weighing a few pounds or so, I'm guessing.

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A 12" Senegal bichir will not get anything like a pound, much less 'a few pounds'....I know, I have, currently, 11 mature Senegals, none of which likely exceed 300grams (11oz), despite being large for their species. A 14" female P. palmas polli could, without much difficulty, exceed 454grams/1 pound, though, as they are much heftier fish.

A pair of P. s. senegalus would be just fine in a 35 gallon wide on their own, and are really not complex in husbandry, so although they are not ideal for a beginning aquarist, they are just fine for a 'casual aquarist' to keep in their home.

I really am not sure why you are so against Magafish keeping them, plah831.

Have you read his other posts? If he has to ask 17 times if his swordtail is pregnant, he doesn't know what he's doing.

plah831 said:

Have you read his other posts? If he has to ask 17 times if his swordtail is pregnant, he doesn't know what he's doing.

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No, I am not in the habit of reading all the posts of any single individual.

As well you shouldn't, a man with your credentials. I am in awe of your qualifications in your signature, by the way (totally serious, no joke). I myself have been spending too much time on this forum, but am taking a much-deserved break from my studies at Moss Landing Marine Labs. Have you heard of it?

plah831 said:

As well you shouldn't, a man with your credentials. I am in awe of your qualifications in your signature, by the way (totally serious, no joke).

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Bah, just a job description and a couple of hobbies, really.

I myself have been spending too much time on this forum, but am taking a much-deserved break from my studies at Moss Landing Marine Labs. Have you heard of it?

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I have....Monterey Bay, just south of Santa Cruz, right? I have been near to it, but never had the chance to visit...perhaps the next time I am down in CA....whenever that may be. What are you studying?

Thanks for the responses. I am getting a Master of Science degree in ichthyology. My thesis is on the diet of deep-sea catsharks (Apristurus brunneus and Parmaturus xaniurus). In particular, I am interested in the ecological implications of dietary overlap and subtle differences in food preference which allow these closely related species to co-exist both geographically and bathymetrically. I am also a lab tech at the Pacific Shark Research Center.

Where did you get your degree and what did you study?

You've heard of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, right? Sometimes their curators and aquarists join my lab on collecting trips, and we direct extraneous specimens to them as well. Sometimes I'll go over there to pick up some catshark egg cases, because they've got a few adults in QT (not display). The hatching rate is very low, however, and I have yet to see a baby survive long enough to eat... I think they need VERY cold water (~ 5 degrees Celcius) which we can't yet provide.