pinantanjohn
Aug 21st 2008, 12:46 AM
http://energyhobbies.googlepages.com/senn.jpg
Common name: Senegal Bachir, Cuvier Bachir, Sailfins, Dinosaur eel
Scientific name: Polypterus senegalus
Family: Polypteridae
Origin: Central Africa
Adult size: up to 12 inches, 8 to 10 inch common
Tank Specs
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Water Parameters (PH/GH/KH): prefers slightly acidic but tolerates a wide range. less than stellar water quality is tolerated
Temperature: 25 deg C to 28 deg C
Special Requirements: Prefers sandy bottom. Needs it's own hiding spot. Predatory, keep with larger fish, will eat anything less than half it's size. Can survive extended periods out of water.Suitable Tankmates: Anything large enough not to be food
Minimum Group Size: one
Diet: Live or dead meaty foods like earthworms, shellfish, frozen fish or silversides. Small frogs or insects. Will also eat sinking or floating pellets.
Sexing: Male has a larger anal fin
Breeding and Reproduction: Males initiate spawning. A drop in water temperature can start it. Females lay loosely adhesive eggs in bushy plants which hatch in four days. After fertilization, remove eggs to hatch in separate tank. Feed fry with baby brine shrimp, moving up to larger foods as they grow.
Notes: Can be aggressive to other senegalus but generally peaceful to other fish. Can escape the tank so a good lid is recommended. Generally not territorial and have been kept in groups, I assume that will be up to the individual however. There is some evidence that a non-carnivore diet during youth will calm these animals. If the Senegalus escapes the tank it will be found "walking" on it's front fins. Is nocturnal and will feed and hunt primarily at night but not uncommon to see them active during the day.
Common name: Senegal Bachir, Cuvier Bachir, Sailfins, Dinosaur eel
Scientific name: Polypterus senegalus
Family: Polypteridae
Origin: Central Africa
Adult size: up to 12 inches, 8 to 10 inch common
Tank Specs
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Water Parameters (PH/GH/KH): prefers slightly acidic but tolerates a wide range. less than stellar water quality is tolerated
Temperature: 25 deg C to 28 deg C
Special Requirements: Prefers sandy bottom. Needs it's own hiding spot. Predatory, keep with larger fish, will eat anything less than half it's size. Can survive extended periods out of water.Suitable Tankmates: Anything large enough not to be food
Minimum Group Size: one
Diet: Live or dead meaty foods like earthworms, shellfish, frozen fish or silversides. Small frogs or insects. Will also eat sinking or floating pellets.
Sexing: Male has a larger anal fin
Breeding and Reproduction: Males initiate spawning. A drop in water temperature can start it. Females lay loosely adhesive eggs in bushy plants which hatch in four days. After fertilization, remove eggs to hatch in separate tank. Feed fry with baby brine shrimp, moving up to larger foods as they grow.
Notes: Can be aggressive to other senegalus but generally peaceful to other fish. Can escape the tank so a good lid is recommended. Generally not territorial and have been kept in groups, I assume that will be up to the individual however. There is some evidence that a non-carnivore diet during youth will calm these animals. If the Senegalus escapes the tank it will be found "walking" on it's front fins. Is nocturnal and will feed and hunt primarily at night but not uncommon to see them active during the day.