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Dinosaur eel
The dinosaur eel is the frequent title for the Gray Bichir, Polypterus Senegalus, although it’s a fish and never an eel. There are greater than a dozen species of this fish however the Gray Bichir or Senegalus Bichir is the commonest and is common amongst aquarists. This Bichir is roofed in darkish gray horizontal bands that change into paler because the fish grows. Some Bichirs can attain over three toes in size, though most species, together with the Senegalus Bichir, develop to round one foot.
Pure habitat
Of their native habitat they are often present in lakes, rivers, floodplains and swamps in Africa, particularly the Congo River and Nile. They’re able to surviving in waters with low oxygen content material and might transfer in quest of meals or to search out different moist areas of their house dries in time of drought.
Attribute options
The misnomer of dinosaur eel (hereafter known as Bichir) comes from the prehistoric look of this elongated fish. Its snake-shaped physique is roofed by thick, bone-like scales product of an enamel-like substance referred to as ganoine, which resembles the now extinct earliest ray-finned fishes. It has a particular sequence of as much as 18 dorsal finlets, every one with a pointy backbone, that are erected when it’s agitated. The fleshly pectoral fins, which management the gradual motion of the fish, are hooked up behind and beneath the gill openings. It is usually capable of journey over land utilizing its sturdy pelvic fins. Bichirs may breathe air through a lung-like modification to their swim bladder. Different traits embody a pair of blowholes, a protracted decrease jaw and exterior nostrils which protrude from the nostril to allow the Bichir to hunt by odor since its eyesight is poor. Females are typically bigger than males, whereas grownup males have thicker dorsal spines and broader anal fins.
Eating regimen
Bichirs are predatory and basically carnivorous and can assault and feed on small fish which are straightforward to swallow in addition to slow-moving fish. They may also eat bugs, crustaceans and frogs. Since they’re nocturnal they’ll feed primarily at night time.
Breeding
After a sequence of energetic twisting actions, the male Bichir fertilizes the eggs by enveloping the feminine’s genital opening along with his anal and caudal fin. He then scatters the eggs utilizing thrashing actions of his tail. It’s tough, nevertheless, to get Bichirs to breed in captivity. Some aquarists have famous that even when a female and male are current, the male is commonly unresponsive and won’t fertilize the eggs the feminine releases.
Aquarium measurement
Because of the size Bichirs develop and their must breathe air, it is necessary they’re housed in lengthy tank aquariums that aren’t too deep, probably even a fish tank desk. Purpose for an aquarium that’s at the very least thrice the grownup measurement of the Bichir you will have or plan to buy. Select fish tank aquariums which are not more than eighteen inches deep and don’t fill utterly with water. That is necessary as Bichirs want to have the ability to breathe from the air and subsequently have to have the ability to swim rapidly to the floor and again to the underside the place they dwell.
Having the ability to use oxygen from the air allows Bichirs to outlive out of water for a number of hours. Given this and the truth that they’ve the intuition to maneuver out of 1 place in quest of meals in one other, it is suggested to have a tight-fitting lid in your aquarium!
Aquarium decor
A skinny layer of sentimental sand or gravel is okay as substrate. Bichirs additionally like hiding locations, particularly as they like to remain out of the light in the course of the day. So it’s far more fulfilling for them to have strong vegetation, rocks and tunnels which permit them to show extra pure behaviours. Crops hooked up to wooden work finest as Bichirs are likely to displace vegetation rooted within the substrate due to their measurement and when looking for meals.
Water situations
As they’re tropical freshwater fish, Bichirs require a temperature of 75-85 F. They like a pH of seven or barely beneath and like water that may be a little exhausting. In fact, it is very important carry out frequent water modifications to make sure the standard of water is sweet in your tropical freshwater aquariums.
Aquarium lighting
Bichirs are nocturnal so they are going to be usually torpid in the course of the day and energetic at night time. Slightly than switching the aquarium lights off full, present the appearance of a pure dusk by putting in a blue moonlight bulb so you can also expertise some motion out of your Bichir!
Feeding
Being carnivorous, Bichirs like to be fed baitfish, mussels, shrimps and bloodworms. They may also readily settle for frozen meals. Some aquarists have tried to encourage them to take dry meals by solely supplying them till their starvation overcomes them, and have discovered they will adapt OK. Nevertheless, I’d point out that this isn’t their pure weight-reduction plan.
Tank mates
Given the big measurement of Bichirs and their predatory nature, this can be very necessary to match them with appropriate tank mates. Don’t maintain them with fish smaller than three inches which might present a prepared meal! It’s higher to match Bichirs with larger fish as they won’t trouble as a lot with fish they can’t swallow. Siamese Tigerfish, Angelfish, massive Barbs, Cichlids and Knifefish are potential tank mates. It has been noticed that suckermouth Catfish are likely to suck on the pores and skin of Bichirs which irritates them and so it’s not suggested to maintain each sorts of bottom-dwelling fish. Additionally keep away from matching them with overly aggressive species. In a really massive fish tank it will likely be potential to maintain a number of Bichirs collectively, supplied they’re across the identical measurement. They need to typically tolerate one another, aside from preventing over the meals!
To maintain or to not maintain?
Bichirs are fascinating specimen fish however do concentrate on all the problems concerned in preserving them, particularly the dimensions of the tank and the opposite tropical freshwater fish you will have or plan to have. Bichirs additionally price extra to maintain than different fish, although they’re a really hardy breed. Retaining Bichirs in an acceptable atmosphere requires cautious planning!
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