Question about owning a Polypterus species

I have a Bichir and its really simple. i've been feeding it sinking Krill and spirulina pellets and bloodworms every so often. They are really fun and personable little critters maybe get up 10-14" long and just over a quater in thickness (like the coin). They are natural predators so if you wanted you could get like some feeder guppies or ive fed mine some Ghost shrimp before so thats always an option. Another note is that they will eat angels so worry about that. But they go great with anything large bodied rather than streamlined. I have mine with a Severum and an Angel (i just make sure it doesnt get hungry... it only really happens in rare cases where the Bichir get really hungry so just keep it fed... Lol ask barbie about bichirs and angels ;) ) 3 cories and a pleco.
 
I've had my Senegal since January. I love him, he is my favorite fish. When they get large enough Hikari Carnivore pellets are really good for them. He's the most active fish in the tank and is ALWAYS hungry, its really easy to overfeed these guys in my experience because they can be really fast eaters, so watch out for that. Their growth seems to taper out at a certain point. When my little guy (Jormungandr) was smaller I fed him the HBH sinking krill and spirulina (thats why Toodley feeds his that) and he grew about 4 inches in 4 months, by 6 months of having him he was about 7 inches. Since then his growth has slowed down, he is now eating Hikari Carnivore pellets, HBH sinking krill and spirulina, black worms he steels from the loaches, and frozen mysis shrimp.
Jormungandr is very much a pig, and he notices when people are looking at the tank and dances his little wiggly serpent dance to try and get someone to feed him.
One thing to remember is that bichirs are VERY addicting! Once you have one you will want more. Enjoy.
 
Tifftastic said:
I've had my Senegal since January. I love him, he is my favorite fish. When they get large enough Hikari Carnivore pellets are really good for them. He's the most active fish in the tank and is ALWAYS hungry, its really easy to overfeed these guys in my experience because they can be really fast eaters, so watch out for that. Their growth seems to taper out at a certain point. When my little guy (Jormungandr) was smaller I fed him the HBH sinking krill and spirulina (thats why Toodley feeds his that) and he grew about 4 inches in 4 months, by 6 months of having him he was about 7 inches. Since then his growth has slowed down, he is now eating Hikari Carnivore pellets, HBH sinking krill and spirulina, black worms he steels from the loaches, and frozen mysis shrimp.
Jormungandr is very much a pig, and he notices when people are looking at the tank and dances his little wiggly serpent dance to try and get someone to feed him.
One thing to remember is that bichirs are VERY addicting! Once you have one you will want more. Enjoy.
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Good stuff there Tiff!!
 
I would say that a 33 Long would be a good min. tank size for a P. senegalus. Most people say that the tank should be 4x the lenght of the fish and the width should be at least the length of the fish. A 33 long is 48"x12"x12". Since most senegals dont actually hit that 12" mark it is a good minimum tank size.
 
All of my tanks have tight fitting lids as I have a habit of keeping powerful jumpers. The tank I feel like sticking him in has two larger tank mates. If I do get one, I will wait till he's large enough to fend for him/herself before sticking them in the tank.

Where would I find the large grained sand at? I don't think my LFS has it though I"m not sure.
 
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