Aquatic_Adam
Aquarium Advice Addict
Mudfrog said:Drop pellets in with when you turn the lights off. They smell better than they see. Get them accustomed to eating from the same spot each time (preferably away from where the rest of the fish eat). Before long they will rush to that spot as soon as they smell food.
Glad to see another keeper of Polypterus around here
I've kept 5 different Polypterus species, and have been keeping them for around 10 years also (not all at the same time mind you).
I fed mine Hikari Sinking Pellets and also NLS Pellets (had to break them as they were a little big). I only sometimes gave them feeders, and that's because what's the point of keeping a predatory fish if you don't get to watch its behavior? Right?
They are not exactly a Labyrinth fish by classification but they do function very similarly. Labyrinth fish have a special organ called a labyrinth to use surface air. Polypterus, instead, have a specialized swim bladder that allows them to breath air. They both have the same purpose, allow a fish to survive in low oxygen situations.
I also agree, I've had my Polypterus Senegalus (Dinosaur Eel <- Please don't call them that ) for years and it maxed out at around 8 inches. He shot up to 6 inches in a matter of months but then slowly grew after that. Same with my other Polypterus species, fast growth initially followed by slow growth.