Bichirs - Polypterus

[HFBfounder]

I really like these things, but I haven't been able to work them into my setups. What do you keep with them and how do you feed them?

[Philistine]

Re: Bichirs - Polypterus

I've got 2 small ones (just got them yesterday) in a 29G with 4 plecos and a florida gar.

They eat feeder fish.

Back in the day, I used to keep a pair in a cichild tank - jaguar cichilds and oscars.

[Tiapan]

Re: Bichirs - Polypterus

they rend to do well with large cichlids (mostly south american) when they are small you can get them to eat a variety or things, mine would eat flakes even but mostly frozen, bloodworms, mysis that sort of thing. i think they are really cool but i dont have a tank really big enough for them (well that isnt planted and that tank aint going through any kind of change anytime soon. )

[HFBfounder]

Re: Bichirs - Polypterus

hmmm... I don't think I want to go the frozen food route again. That was one of the pluses of getting away from saltwater tanks. :wink:

[Philistine]

Re: Bichirs - Polypterus

I've never seen mine eat anything but feeders and I kept them for a few years.

[Tiapan]

Re: Bichirs - Polypterus

yeah frozen can get expensive and it take away valuable bagel bite freezer space. but hey at least you dont have frozen baby mice in your freezer like i do for my sand boas.

[Armadillo_Del_Rio]

Re: Bichirs - Polypterus

I feed mine hikari chiclid pellets. once in a while a feeder. but they are rapid;ly growing and i placed them in a 20 gallon to grow alittle, but my chiclids are still young and small in my main tank. So i might have to sell them, i might keep my albino sengalus, and sell my ornate that is becoming a pig.

[Philistine]

Re: Bichirs - Polypterus

update - my two polypterus definitely eat cichild food - pellets and sticks

[Armadillo_Del_Rio]

Re: Bichirs - Polypterus

mine do too. they like the hikari gold. But bichirs arn't fussy eaters, just messy.

[Tiapan]

Re: Bichirs - Polypterus

well there you go Ken they can convert to dry food as well, looks like you dont have a reason not to get them now. Oh and i believe tim and i are gonna keep a look out for that texas holey rock pieces for you.