I tried searching but didnt come up with much. I have an all male african cichlid tank, they are all peacocks and haps. I also have a M. Plagiostoma spiny eel that is about 8". The tank is 75g. Would I be able to keep one of the smaller bichir species in with these fish? I will be upgrading to a 150 or 180 next summer. I am actually most afraid of how the eel and a bichir would get along. Thanks in advance.
Bichirs with african cichlids
- Thread starter BarroomHero
- Start date
There isnt a whole lot of information about the M. Plagiostoma eels but I think there max size is about 9-10". They dont get very big around/thick though, nowhere near as thick as bichirs. Would a full grown delhezi or senegalus could end up making a meal out of my eel? Or would it be ok because of the length?
After doing some reading im guessing wouldnt work. I guess I will have to get another tank for bichirs one day.
it works.
i had a ornate bichir 4" in with my africans. alot of which were very aggresive
they just left him alone. the only problem was the africans ocasionaly stealing his food.
but eventualy i got him onto mealworms hidden in holes in the rock.
he got to around 6" before i changed the tank to marine.
so yes it can be done if your prepared to make other arangements to feed the bichir.
the maze of rocks gives the bichir plenty of comfort ocasionaly an aggresive male would nip at him and hed just go off into the rocks unharmed
i had a ornate bichir 4" in with my africans. alot of which were very aggresive
they just left him alone. the only problem was the africans ocasionaly stealing his food.
but eventualy i got him onto mealworms hidden in holes in the rock.
he got to around 6" before i changed the tank to marine.
so yes it can be done if your prepared to make other arangements to feed the bichir.
the maze of rocks gives the bichir plenty of comfort ocasionaly an aggresive male would nip at him and hed just go off into the rocks unharmed
Eläköön;2470375; said:
Thanks. I am not worried so much about my africans as much as the eel I have. Like I said he is long, but thin, and I think eventually the bichir would make a meal out of him.
a senegal bichir wouldnt kill it.
they max at around 12" ive got an 8" one that dosnt even eat anything unless its smaller than a swordtail. and swordtails are pretty small. theres no way he could eat an eel. if you go senegal then that would be fine. just if your africans fry dissapear that would be why
they max at around 12" ive got an 8" one that dosnt even eat anything unless its smaller than a swordtail. and swordtails are pretty small. theres no way he could eat an eel. if you go senegal then that would be fine. just if your africans fry dissapear that would be why
Do senegals have different temperament that similar sized bichirs like delhezi's? I am just worried because my eel is definitely thin enough to fit in a bichirs mouth, but he is about 10" long
Most bichirs would have a problem with anything that looks similar in shape to itself. It may see it as a threat, however if the eel is larger than the bichir it may find the bichir a tasty snack. Only one way to find out though.
I have an 11" Lapredei and a 6" senegal. When I first introduced the senegal into the tank, the Lap chased and snapped at it and another senegal which was introduced from my aro tank. It eventually stressed out and killed the smaller of the two which was a female, but the male senegal still flourishes. Sometimes you even see the two of them laying on top of each other, which is a good sight to see.
So the only way of finding out things are to try it out. Never underestimate behavioral patterns of fish, and never expect nothing to ever not happen.
I have an 11" Lapredei and a 6" senegal. When I first introduced the senegal into the tank, the Lap chased and snapped at it and another senegal which was introduced from my aro tank. It eventually stressed out and killed the smaller of the two which was a female, but the male senegal still flourishes. Sometimes you even see the two of them laying on top of each other, which is a good sight to see.
So the only way of finding out things are to try it out. Never underestimate behavioral patterns of fish, and never expect nothing to ever not happen.
skene;2478030; said:
Well there is no way the eel could eat the bichir, his mouth is barely large enough to eat a earthworm. The thickest/fattest part of him is probably about the same size as my middle finger. He hides all day and I occasionally see him right before I go to bed. He is as about full grown.