I'm New (I have questions too!)

Furniture, like stands?

They are easy to find. Any pet store will have them plus about every online store does to. There are to many possibilites to list. Just go to google or yahoo and type "Aquarium stands" in the search bar.
 
Ah, thank you so much. My mother surprised me into taking me to a new LFS that just opened here and I found the perfect tank and stand for it. Its going to be bigger than what I was going to get for $209 (50G tank). I found a 55G tank for $110 there and a beautiful black cab stand for it. The fish were a bit over priced, but the accessories were just right. :dive:

Thank for all of your help!
Shane,
 
Do you this if I went to a local Petsmart, and told them that I wanted a Bichir that they carry, could they accurately tell me what fish (in their store) would work well with it? It was just a thought I had coming back from the new place I went today. Thanks again!

Shane, :dive2:
 
Better research it, you're better off not taking advice from anyone that works in a pet store. They are usually more interested in selling than helping. I would help you but I don't know what is compatible with that fish.
 
I see. Which I suppose explains why the last guppies I bought there died in less than 48 hours. Its no problem, I've already gotten a list from one of the people here with a list of fish that could go well with a Bichir. Its no problem. I just wanted to know if there would be anymore that could go along with it.
I have a question about something I ran across in Dr. Fosters & Smith site called lunar lights. I noticed it would light the water a flourescent blue. Would that have any bad short or long term effects on my fish?
I have also come up with the plans of (so far...) 3 fish I would love to have in my 55G tank. I would like to know what other fish, and how many more fish could be comfortable within the 55G's perimeters. These are the 3 so far...
-Senelagus Bichir (1)
-Striped Peacock Eel (1)
-Giant Whiptail Catfish (1)
Please give me input on how you think these 3 may react to each other. Please keep in mind I am putting a good amount of plant life, and other hiding places for them. Thank you for all of your help.

Shane, :dive2:

P.S. Would anybody happen to know exactly how big...or an estimate on how large a full grown Senelag Bichir's mouth can get? Because it would help to know what would and wouldn't be able to become Bichir food. The reason I'm asking is because I would love a Loach of anykind with the tank, but from what I read they tend to be bottom dwellers, and I'm concerned seeing that the Bichir will be down there too. I'm also looking for something that could do well with a Bichir that would be a middle tank dweller, or even a surface dweller. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! :p:
 
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You really want to avoid fish with a long thin body form ie. most loaches-Anne
 
Ah, I see. Would the Giant Whiptail, and the Peacock Eel be okay with the Bichir though? The list you gave me of compatible fish have them both in it. *Is crossing fingers in hopes that they will be okay*
My reason in thinking that they SHOULD be okay is that the Bichir i'm in the market for is a midsize Bichir...right? 12" max I believe, if not, could somebody please tell me the smallest species of Bichir? Thank you so very much! :dive2:

Shane,
 
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As long as the growth rate don't vary by much they should be fine

Species and sizes
maximum known sizes often smaller in captivity

Upper Jaw Species-Upper jaw protrudes past lower jaw
P. palmas palmas ('palmas' bichir)- 13"
(subspecies)P. palmas polli ('marbled bichir)- 14"(there seems to be evidence to promote this to its own species)
(subspecies) P. palmas buettikoferi ('buettikoferi' bichir)- 13"
P. ornatipinnis ('ornate' bichir)- 27"
P. delhezi ('armoured' or 'delhez's' bichir)- 14"
P. senegalus senegalus ('Senegal' or 'Cuiver's' bichir)- 12"
(possible subspecies)P. senegalus meridionalis- 12"+
There is, Also the possibility of a third member of the Polypterus senegalus
group that is found in the Nile River
P. retropinnis retropinnis ('retropinnis' bichir)- 14"
(subspecies)P. retropinnis lowei ('Lowe's' bichir)- 12"
P. weeksi ('week's' bichir)- 20"
P.teugelsi (found only in the Cross river)
E. calabaricus ('Ropefish')- 15"-30" (Closer to 15''-20'' in captivity)

Lower Jaw Species-Lower protrudes past upper jaw
P. endlicheri endlicheri ('saddled' or 'red' bichir)- 32", possibly more
(subspecies)P. endlicheri congicus ('giant' or 'congo' bichir)- 39"
P. Bichir lapradei ('Lapradei' bichir)- 24"
P. bichir bichir-30+ ''
P.ansorgii*
 
Okay, Thank you so very much Anne. You've been an exceptional help to me. Whew, I thought I was going to have to plan all over again. :D 12" sounds good to me then. I'm not too interested in going for HUGE species of Bichir. Mainly because a 55G tank is the biggest I want to get as of now. So all of the fish in the list you've given me is still good then? If so, thank you again. I suppose that Loaches are a no-no then. What would you recommend for a mid-dwelling to surface dwelling fish that would go along great with the Bichir? Anything but a African Butterfly Fish...they just don't appeal to me that much, plus I hear they are a pain to feed.

Thanks again!
Shane,
 
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