Senegal Bichir Slow Growth?

Sam B. · Dec 17, 2015

I've had my senegal bichir for ten months now. He was only in the LFS for a few days before I purchased him at about 2-2.5 in long, now he is only about 4.5 inches long, that's about a quarter inch a month. I researched growth rate, and almost everybody said it should be more like 1 inch per month. He has a 75g almost completely to himself, gets plenty of food, and the water q. is high. I will admit, he hasn't had a lot of variation in his diet, but I have begun feeding bloodworms and fillets in hopes of fixing this. Is there anything else I can do to increase/promote growth?

P.S. he looks healthy to me, not "short bodied"

tlindsey · Dec 17, 2015

It may have to do with genetics out of your control, most Senegalus are farm bred . I've experienced this myself but what did was buy another group ,the growth on them varied also.

kno4te · Dec 17, 2015

Keep a varied diet and up ur water changes to promote growth.

Dr.B · Dec 17, 2015

As stated above, senegal growth rate can vary. Yours doesn't seem too abnormal to worry. To promote an increase in growth just keep up with water and continue to feed a varied diet. I would suggest putting some more protein based pellets in there. Something like the massivores, bottom feeder tablets, or carnivore sinking pellets (all made by hikari). Theres other good pellets as well, but those are the ones I use and can think of off the top of my head. Other than keeping the water clean and diet varied theres really not much else you can do, it's all up to the fish to grow. Also don't get frustrated and think your doing something wrong if it doesn't grow to your expectations. Senegals can be very unpredictable in max size and may not get as big as you'd want or think.