"Dinosaur" Eel

[SuckerLove86]

Saw this "eel" in my lfs.... was wondering if anyone could provide any information as there doesn't seem to be much info on the web. Couple questions I have....

Are they not bottom dwellers? Most of the ones in the store were sticking to the bottom, but others were swimming about all levels.

I read they are from Africa and do well with African cichlids, but how big should the cichlids be to avoid being expensive feeders?

 

[Teelie]

Check out Bichir. That's the real name. There are numerous species as well. Senegals being among the most common. I think those are the ones typically called dinosaur eels.

 

[beblondie]

Dinosaur eel = Polypterus senegalus senegalus 10-12'' adult size.One of the most active of the family swims all levels,predatory but not overly agressive and should not be kept with overly agressive cichlids (African lake species).tankmates should be deep bodied and 4+ inches in lenght.-Anne

P.S. Bichir is not their real name its a name used by local natives and applies to the entire family of Polypteridae.

 

[astroboy]

Yes they are from africa. I have never kept them with cichlids (actually i've never kept any cichlids before), but i would not recommend it.

Bichirs will almost always (and with a little persistance) accept frozen foods and pellets.

 

[Teelie]

I meant real as in the name you'll usually see them as listed and easier to find in a search, not the scientifc name.

 

[Black_Ghost_Guy]

I meant real as in the name you'll usually see them as listed and easier to find in a search, not the scientifc name.

In an identification question such as this, it is probably of best interest to use latin names, and typing in "Polypterus" has turned up more helpful results typing in "bichir" whenever I've done it.

Was this fish at a petsmart (jeez, they should just copyright that name )? You will have no problems with a small Polypterus senegalus (which is what I'm assuming this is) eating cichlids whatsoever. I highly reccomend against keeping them wiht cihlids, these are peaceful fish, and should not be subjected to such abuse.

 

[Teelie]

Using scientifc names helps but I can't keep track of all of them and common names are easier to remember and spell.

 

[Jason_S]

I keep several species of bichirs with many various Central and South American cichlids with very little trouble. New World cichlids in my experience tend to ignore the bichirs. I will say that I've had better experience keeping them with larger species of cichlids rather than smaller. I've never kept them with African cichlids.

 

[ghostknife]

I have two polypterus senegalus with a polypterus onatipinnis, spiny eels, reedfish, synodontis catfish, plecs, gudgeon and knifefish, and i have had no problems.

 

[SuckerLove86]

Ok, so I went ahead and did my research and got one of em, and put him in my "supposed to be semi-aggressive but none of the fish even care about each other" tank, and he's doing good on bloodworms and earthworms. However, every once in a while he'll go up to the surface, fold his tail under a little so he's curved like a c and just drift/float down to the bottom of the tank. Is this a predatory lure or is somethin wrong with him?

 

[astroboy]

However, every once in a while he'll go up to the surface, fold his tail under a little so he's curved like a c and just drift/float down to the bottom of the tank. Is this a predatory lure or is somethin wrong with him?

He's just breathing and then floating down (sometimes they float down, but most of the time they jet up and jet right back down). Juve senegals like to chill at the surface. My senegal and albino senegal only leave the floating plant cover to get food.

 

[beblondie]

Its pretty much normal behavior -Anne

 

[roxie]

I have read that the surface water should be lowered some and that they go to the surface to breath air like bettas at times.

 

[astroboy]

I have read that the surface water should be lowered some and that they go to the surface to breath air like bettas at times.

It would be nice to lower the surface, but i don't because then the filters get really loud. They do go to the surface for air

 

[Dorkhedeos]

senegal bichirs, they are really active. dont put them with anything smaller than its mouth