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#Post#: 665--------------------------------------------------
Catfish and bichirs
By: the_shazard Date: September 26, 2014, 5:26 pm
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I just got a featherfin syno and was wondering if it could be
housed with a dinosaur bichir (Larry). the featherfin is
currently in my 55 gal mixed mbuna tank and i was thinking about
adding Larry to consolidate tank space. I used to keep Larry in
a 29 gal, but i had to move him to a 10 gal and i hate seeing
him in there. I used to keep him with my old mbunas and he did
fine i was just wondering if he would get along with the syno.
The syno is only about an 1 1/2 inches and Larry is about 6
inches but the syno isn't small enough to be eaten.
#Post#: 671--------------------------------------------------
Re: Catfish and bichirs
By: Stu4648 Date: September 26, 2014, 7:00 pm
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I have never kept Bichirs but I think I would be reluctant to
let an inquisitive little Syno in with a big ambush predator who
is 4 times bigger. You could end up losing both if Larry has a
pop and the little guy flicks his spines up and gets lodged in
his mouth. I think I would wait until the Syno is nearer 4
inches at least. What is the biggest thing you have ever seen
Larry eat or attempt to eat?
#Post#: 700--------------------------------------------------
Re: Catfish and bichirs
By: Thecrazyfishlady Date: September 26, 2014, 10:05 pm
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If the fish is bigger than it's head (even if smaller than it's
body), then there is a very low chance of the bichir (assuming
it's a senegalus) even going after it. Of course, this comes
down to knowing your fish.
My adult female senegalus won't even go after Tetra after being
raised her entire life on pre-killed and growing up with other
fish (she's become a very friendly community fish). Of course,
if an animal was raised on live, it's more likely to have a go
at anything even a little bigger than it's head. It's really
your call. That bichir shouldn't be in a 10 gallon for long.
That's literally a death trap long term.
If it were me, I'd go for it but choose a day where you can sit
down and observe. Move them in the same day so both of them are
left "Figuring things out". Chances are the bichir will be so
busy paying attention to the new surroundings, or hiding that it
won't even look at the syno. I seriously doubt you are going to
have an issue, now when it's around 6" if it hasn't been forced
to eat live foods. I would suggest pulling it from live foods
and making it eat non live to dumb down the aggression.
#Post#: 927--------------------------------------------------
Re: Catfish and bichirs
By: the_shazard Date: September 30, 2014, 3:48 pm
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I feed Larry earthworms 3-4 times a week so I am not worried
about him eating the syno, but I know the synos can be
territorial so I just wanted to make sure he wouldnt attack
Larry
#Post#: 947--------------------------------------------------
Re: Catfish and bichirs
By: Stu4648 Date: October 1, 2014, 1:44 am
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I think featherfins can get territorial when they are older
although not too sure if it is directed more towards other
featherfins or any bottom dweller in general. Either way I think
Larry should be ok for a while yet, I cannot see the Syno
getting too pushy until they match up more closely size wise, I
think featherfins can push 10" or so in length fully grown.
Chances are if Larry is fairly static the Syno may take up
residence elsewhere and leave him in peace.
#Post#: 997--------------------------------------------------
Re: Catfish and bichirs
By: Thecrazyfishlady Date: October 1, 2014, 9:29 pm
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They feather fins see for the most part heavily aggressive
towards each other. I've never seen them truly get nasty with
other fish unless those fish initiate first. A senegalus
switched to non-live foods has no reason to initiate aggression
in a large enough space.
OP, it's a good thing to keep both well fed in response to what
you said. I honestly don't think you will have any problems,
just don't use live feeder fish and you won't have problems with
the fish growing up into a monster. Also make sure it has a good
place to be. What ever you do, don't keep it in a 10 gallon
tank.
#Post#: 1242--------------------------------------------------
Re: Catfish and bichirs
By: the_shazard Date: October 7, 2014, 7:39 pm
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Just wanted to update, I moved Larry to the 55 and he is looking
good. ;D
#Post#: 1579--------------------------------------------------
Re: Catfish and bichirs
By: summoner2183 Date: October 22, 2014, 8:58 am
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A bichir with africans and catfish.... I still think you should
keep an eye on your bichir and hope it doesn't snack on your
African cichlids, even though it hasn't been fed live food at
all. They are still predators, and in a way there might still be
a hunting instinct in Larry, so I think keeping a lookout would
be prudent.
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