About Senegal Bichirs

[Egemen]

+1. Reddit is not a good source. This is the best forum for your fish. Other good sources are fishbase.se and seriouslyfish. A good starting point is AqAdvisor. As for your Senegals, they should be good in your tank size. I would suggest a wider tank, but I understand financial problems and how frustrating it is. You can keep them in that tank long-term, but can also upgrade to a larger tank. Potential tanks include 55g acrylic, which is 15" wide and 18" tall (I have this tank), a standard 75g, which is 18" wide and 20" tall, and the tank I have currently, a 90g wide tank, which is 2'x4' and 18" tall. The larger and wider you go the more species you could put in. If you go to a 55g, perhaps you could try your hand at a Delhezi (which is a really active and rewarding fish). At 75g you can try some of the rarer species. Mokelembembe, Polli, Delhezi, and maybe palmas.

Pellets are staple for food, as Deadeye said. As a juvenile, my del loved Brine Shrimp. He is not a fan of Hikari Sinking Cichlid Gold I give him now, but still eats it. As they get older you can start to vary their diet with fish fillets or market shrimp.

Thanks for the comment, yes I do know that this tank size is not "the best". I have financial problems this year but If I'm ever able to get them a larger tank I will. I care for these animals and I want the best for them. I will try to stay away from Reddit then and stick to here. Seems like you lot know your fish . Glad to be a part of this community ! Also I asked above but wanted to ask again. What about tankmates ? I have few fish with them that include Rainbow Shark and Angelfish along with a BN Pleco (I am willing to rehome them If need arises, dont want them to hurt or get hurt by the Bichir). Someone reccomended a single Pictus Catfish but afaik they like shoals and therefore need larger tanks. Maybe another Angelfish or two ? I do large water changes every week too.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

I don't know much about angelfish or Rainbow Sharks, but you fo have yourself quite the bio-load. I would suggest a single African Butterflyfish, but do not know anything about the other fish you have in there. Normally catfish are not good options with bichirs. The best tankmates are mid or topwater fish that are large enough to not look like prey. Like all predatory fish, Bichirs will eat anything that can fit in their mouth. Bichirs will test the limits of their bite, which can end up in death. I would suggest the African Butterflyfish because it has large fins and grows large enough to not look like food.

 

[Egemen]

I don't know much about angelfish or Rainbow Sharks, but you fo have yourself quite the bio-load. I would suggest a single African Butterflyfish, but do not know anything about the other fish you have in there. Normally catfish are not good options with bichirs. The best tankmates are mid or topwater fish that are large enough to not look like prey. Like all predatory fish, Bichirs will eat anything that can fit in their mouth. Bichirs will test the limits of their bite, which can end up in death. I would suggest the African Butterflyfish because it has large fins and grows large enough to not look like food.

hmmm yeah that makes sense. I saw some African Butterflies at my LFS. Maybe I will get one or two and rehome other fish. Thing is my little babies right now are absolutely tiny and love going to the top and hanging around the roots of my floaters, which means they would probably be eaten by an African Butterfly. Maybe when they grow I can get some !

 

[Deadeye]

The Masked Shadow
The tank is 18 inches wide, so it’s no different than a 75 or such in that dimension.

Thanks for the comment, yes I do know that this tank size is not "the best". I have financial problems this year but If I'm ever able to get them a larger tank I will. I care for these animals and I want the best for them. I will try to stay away from Reddit then and stick to here. Seems like you lot know your fish . Glad to be a part of this community ! Also I asked above but wanted to ask again. What about tankmates ? I have few fish with them that include Rainbow Shark and Angelfish along with a BN Pleco (I am willing to rehome them If need arises, dont want them to hurt or get hurt by the Bichir). Someone reccomended a single Pictus Catfish but afaik they like shoals and therefore need larger tanks. Maybe another Angelfish or two ? I do large water changes every week too.

For tankmates, a good rule of thumb is anything a bichir cannot catch. I would move the pleco as they are known to suck on bichir slime coats. Rainbow sharks are just downright mean. Not sure on the angel if that will work or not.
I’d go for a group of larger bodied tetras or livebearers (mollies or swordtails).

 

[Deadeye]

I don't know much about angelfish or Rainbow Sharks, but you fo have yourself quite the bio-load. I would suggest a single African Butterflyfish, but do not know anything about the other fish you have in there. Normally catfish are not good options with bichirs. The best tankmates are mid or topwater fish that are large enough to not look like prey. Like all predatory fish, Bichirs will eat anything that can fit in their mouth. Bichirs will test the limits of their bite, which can end up in death. I would suggest the African Butterflyfish because it has large fins and grows large enough to not look like food.

+1 on the butterflies actually. They are pretty harmless but have a big mouth. Mostly a bug eater though. As long as it isn’t full grown I don’t think there is a huge risk (though waiting is definitely safe).

 

[Egemen]

The Masked Shadow
The tank is 18 inches wide, so it’s no different than a 75 or such in that dimension.

For tankmates, a good rule of thumb is anything a bichir cannot catch. I would move the pleco as they are known to suck on bichir slime coats. Rainbow sharks are just downright mean. Not sure on the angel if that will work or not.
I’d go for a group of larger bodied tetras or livebearers (mollies or swordtails).

I heard Rainbow Sharks were mean, but never seen mine attack the Bichirs so far. If aggression occurs I will solve it tho. I doubt my Pleco even knows about the Bichirs as he always hides and never comes out I never see him. Will look into Mollies and Swordtails. What about Platies ? Are they big enough ? Saw some really cool ones at the LFS when I went to get my babies.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Never heard of Butterflyfish eating a bichir. I wouldn't chance it, though, as they eat bugs. Perhaps what Deadeye said. My Congo Tetras bullied my Delhezi to the point where he regularly broke his finlets, so perhaps a different large-bodied tetra.

As for the tank size, I didn't realize it was 18" wide.

 

[Egemen]

+1 on the butterflies actually. They are pretty harmless but have a big mouth. Mostly a bug eater though. As long as it isn’t full grown I don’t think there is a huge risk (though waiting is definitely safe).

yeah the Bichirs are too small as of now, I wont risk it. When they grow I will consider tho, they are such cool fish and as far as I have heard are actually related to Arowanas (?) , either way they look like some modified pocket sized Arowana. Got to wait before I get one tho unless I find a really small one. Also is it normal for my Senegals to hang out around the top where there are floating plants ? They love to place themselves on the roots and just stay like that and I believe they do it at nights too since every morning when I turn the lights on they are there.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Will look into Mollies and Swordtails. What about Platies ? Are they big enough ? Saw some really cool ones at the LFS when I went to get my babies.

My platy's crap all over the tank over and over again nonstop. Some love them, but I don't. Never kept any mollies.

 

[Egemen]

Never heard of Butterflyfish eating a bichir. I wouldn't chance it, though, as they eat bugs. Perhaps what Deadeye said. My Congo Tetras bullied my Delhezi to the point where he regularly broke his finlets, so perhaps a different large-bodied tetra.

As for the tank size, I didn't realize it was 18" wide.

so its good ? Tank size I mean. It is 18'' wide yes.