Ornate Bichir – Polypterus Ornatipinnis

Discussion in 'Oddball fish' started by Reedfish, Dec 19, 2016.

  1. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    Saw these at my lfs this weekend
    The pattern seems quite variable. Some fish are a lot more attractive than others

    I have one, the only non-SA fish in my tank
    Have had it for a few months. All it does is hide. Hopefully, as it gets bigger, and more confident, it will become a bit more active.

    IMG_7757.JPG
     
    Reedfish, Dec 19, 2016
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  3. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

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    @Reedfish, the one on the left looks quite pretty

    Hopefully once yours gets too big for the hiding places, you will see it out more often!!!

    Cesar has one but i cant remember what it is called... like a soft yellow with some paterns.
    He is about 25/30cm and was always hiding however strangely enough when he moved him to the big tank with the Arowana he likes swimming alongside snoopy or lays in front of the tank.
    Must say he is very sweet.
     
    MariaS, Dec 19, 2016
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    Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    Mine is one not as attractive, more like one of the dull ones.
    Hopefully it will colour up once it gets bigger.
     
    Reedfish, Dec 20, 2016
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  5. 2time

    2time Keanan

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    They are awesome fish indeed. Been waiting to get one but have kuhli loaches and just added a few rasboras and dwarf neon rainbows to the tank.

    Haven't seen the ornate ones for a while though.
     
    2time, Dec 20, 2016
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  6. Hendre

    Hendre Polypterus freak

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    Ornates are one of the shyer species unfortunately, although few other bichirs rival a well kept ornate on a good substrate.

    Could we get an update of this fellow?
     
    Hendre, Apr 2, 2017
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    Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    It's still alive!
    Not sure how, as I target feed feed my predatory fish and it never comes out for some
    Nor does it come out of hiding when I feed the general fish.

    I suspect it's eating the lungfish or Ray poo. :confused:
     
    Reedfish, Apr 4, 2017
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    Hendre likes this.
  8. Hendre

    Hendre Polypterus freak

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    Alright. I'm probably joining the poly board later with a more outgoing species :)

    Maybe feed after lights out?
     
    Hendre, Apr 4, 2017
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    Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    I do.
    Rays won't eat with the lights on either
     
    Reedfish, Apr 4, 2017
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  10. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

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    Are you serious??

    Reedfish... something is wrong... either you spooking them or you dont talk to them nicely every day....:(

    Jokes aside.. polys i dont know much about except Cesar has one but i havent actually checked what its called.. i call him salamander...
    He is quite active though and waddles around everywhere.. hence the nickname

    But the rays... thats really strange.... ours are ouright hooligans at feeding time and the black rays are terrible!!! they pounce on everything at feeding time!
    Do you think its species related?
     
    MariaS, Apr 4, 2017
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    Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    Maybe it's an indvidual thing?
    They seem really shy during the day. If I put the long tweezers in with the fish, they came over reluctuantly.
    In the dark, they swim over quickly for their meal
    But day time is also a pain. The Dollars and Chocolates are always hovering around trying to get at some of the food, and is difficult to keep them away.
    So night time just easier.
     
    Reedfish, Apr 4, 2017
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  12. Hendre

    Hendre Polypterus freak

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    That's interesting. Trust dollars to be hogs

    I'm going to go pick up my fish as we speak :D
     
    Hendre, Apr 4, 2017
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  13. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

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    Oh.. that makes sense..
    My severums like to steal some worms but they not as fast so they dont intimidate the rays..
     
    MariaS, Apr 4, 2017
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