Species Suggestions Needed (Synodontis and Polypterus)

[Hypostomus]

So after much internal debate and a small volume of research, I have decided that I like the idea of an African oddball (riverish) biotope over that of a Malawi lake recreation. This decision was supported by a small unscientific survey that gave results in the general phrase of "Those cichlids are pretty, but that other tank is 1337." So I've begun looking up driftwood prices from Ebay, casually gathering rocks from the college campus to examine as potential decor, and of course agonizing over my substrate. While I'm at it, I imagine it would be good to get a final list of fish down. So here it is (the list was essentially ripped off of something Fruitbat posted in a bichir profile- sorry for stealing Fruitbat ):

120g
48"x24"x24"

1 Xenomystus nigri / African brown knifefish / max: 12"
4 Pantodon buccholzi / African butterflyfish / max: 4"
10 Phennacogramma interruptus / Congo tetra / max: 3"
4 Pelvicachromis: pulcher (3") or possible rubrolabiatis (3", I think)
1 Polypterus: ansorgii or palmas polli / max: 12"(?)
1 Synodontis: angelicus (8"), alberti (6.5"), eupterus (8"), schoutedeni (5")

I have no experience with bichirs or synodontis (except for upside-down cats), so if someone could recommend which species is best for the set-up that would be cool. I like ansorgii and palmas polli equally, and they were the ones I narrowed down to out of my list counting out those that got too big and the ones that did not have quite the pattern I was looking for, though I am still open to other species if someone thinks they would do better in my tank than the ones I have stated.

As far as the synos go I am at a loss, though I am reading through the profiles at planetcatfish.com. I'm partial to the eupterus and schoutedeni, but since I have only seen them at specialty stores I'm not sure on the price, general quality, etc. I saw a small eupterus for $15 online.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Menagerie]

"Those cichlids are pretty, but that other tank is 1337."

Maybe I live under a rock, but could you explain that one? Thanks

 

[Endgame319]

1337 is a gamers term that means elite

 

[Menagerie]

Cichlids are not only colorful, they are full of energy and will do the interior decorating for you

 

[Hypostomus]

Yeah, but the ones I want don't work out so well in that tank.

And..I really like oddballs. =) My clown knife was my favorite fish ever.

..and that set-up does have cichlids in it.

Little ones.

That I hope won't get eaten.

 

[Fruitbat]

The fish selection looks pretty good to me! I've never seen a Polypterus ansorgii available for sale but I've heard from others that keeping them is just like keeping any other Polypterus species. If you can't find P. ansorgii then P. senegalus, P. palmas polli or P. delhezi would also be good choices. Your Synodontis choices also look reasonable though I don't claim to be an expert on Synodontis catfish.

I think you'll find a tank set up the way you propose will be one of the most pleasing and fascinating that you've ever had! You could also add some of the smaller Ctenopoma species to the mix if you had the urge to have an anabantoid. You could also consider some of the smaller Mormyrids if you really like 'oddballs'.

 

[William]

1337 is a gamers term that means elite

Thats the technical term, but its more like " Sweet " or " One of the best! " or " Awesome!! "

 

[Hypostomus]

I forgot about Mormyrids oops, though I'm not sure about the electrical field issues between them and knives. I have not found any particular source that says brown knives are definitely weakly electric, but it might be an issue.

I'll check on the Ctenopoma though. I know there's a nice-looking 3" species that I can't remember the name of right now-- hopefully the knife won't cause any problems at night; from what I've read it seems they prefer much smaller fish and insects/crustaceans/worms and probably have a more docile demeanor than..say...a clown knife. I think worms would make a good staple.

Also, slightly off topic, but anyone who likes knives should check out these videos I found while looking for info on the brown knife:

http://people.hofstra.edu/faculty/christopher_p_sanford/Chitala_film.html / "Clown knife" feeding in slow-motion.

http://people.hofstra.edu/faculty/christopher_p_sanford/Xenomystus_film.html / And slow-motion feeding in the African brown knife.

I thought they were pretty cool, especially the clown knife one.

 

[Fruitbat]

Ctenopmoa (Microctenopoma) ansorgii and Ctenopoma acutirostre would both fill the bill in a tank like yours. Here's a pretty good web article you might want to check out: http://www.terra-et-mare.net/htdocs/Departments/Freshwater/ctenopoma.htm

I shouldn't think there would be much of a problem with the electrical fields generated by most Mormyrids as far as your African Knife is concerned.

 

[Hypostomus]

Tyvm!