health and wellness | February 21, 2026

What fish can live with a Bichir?

What fish can live with a Bichir?

Bichir Tank Mates

  • Oscar fish.
  • Flowerhorn cichlids.
  • African knife.
  • Clown Loaches.
  • Jack Dempsey fish.
  • Silver Dollar fish.

How big do Polypterus get?

Polypterus senegalus may grow to reach 16 inches in length in captivity. So, you will need an aquarium of at least 6ft x 2ft x 2ft with a 50-gallon capacity to accommodate this species.

Are ornate Bichirs Hardy?

The Ornate Bichir is possibly the most beautifully-marked bichir species and is a marvelous fish for the large predator aquarium! It is an extremely hardy species that is very versatile. All bichirs posess a modified swim bladder that allows them to breathe atmospheric air and live in water that is very low in oxygen.

What do Ornate Bichir eat?

Diet. Bichirs are carnivores and are generally reluctant to eat dried foods. That means you’ll need to feed your fish a varied diet of frozen foods, including bloodworms, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, etc. Large specimens enjoy food, such as chopped Mysis shrimp, earthworms, prawns, mussels, and krill …

How fast do Bichirs grow?

It is unknown how fast a dinosaur bichir grows, but it grows between 2-3 cm longer each month until it reaches its natural size. The average size range of a bichir length 11.8-38.2 in (30-97 cm). The saddled bichir is the longest, while the Senegal bichir is the smallest species of the Polypteridae family.

How big does a bichir fish get?

Most species grow to between 30 and 60 cm (11.8 and 23.6 inches) long. Some members of the largest two species, the saddled bichirs (P. endlicherii) and Congo bichirs (P. congicus), grow to lengths of 75 cm (29.5 inches) and 97 cm (38.2 inches) and weights of 3.3 kg (7.3 pounds) and 4.4 kg (9.7 pounds), respectively.

What size tank does a Bichir need?

Minimum aquarium size should be 29 gallons, but preferably 55 gallons or more. A good rule of thumb is one gallon of water for every one inch of full-grown fish. These fish prefer fine gravel or sand substrate on the bottom of the aquarium, as eels often burrow into the sand.

What do Polypterus Senegalus eat?

Polypterus senegalus feed on small vertebrates, insects, and crustaceans. They use suction feeding to ingest prey from the bottom of freshwater lakes and rivers. P. senegalus is said to consume anything it can swallow, which is why it is recommended that their tankmates be at least half of their size.

How fast do ornate Bichirs grow?

It is unknown how fast a dinosaur bichir grows, but it grows between 2-3 cm longer each month until it reaches its natural size. The average size range of a bichir length 11.8-38.2 in (30-97 cm).

Where are ornate Bichir from?

Congo River basin
The Ornate Bichir is known from the Congo River basin, the Lake Rukwa drainage, and the Lake Tanganyika basin. Although it is found in a variety of different water parameters, it prefers quieter, swampy areas with an abundance of aquatic vegetation.

How long do ornate Bichirs live?

Bichir Facts & Overview

CategoryRating
Lifespan:15-20 years
Size:10-30 inches
Diet:Carnivore
Family:Polypteridae

How big does a Bichir fish get?