Senegal Bichir 8cm

Senegal Bichir

For experienced aquarists looking for a new and interesting fish to keep, it does not get any better than the Senegal bichir. This living dinosaur of a fish has around 60 million years of history and is the literal mascot of oddball aquarium fish. These fish will reach around 25 - 30 and are incredibly hardy fish that can also breathe surface oxygen just like lungfish. 

Though Senegal bichirs are of the smaller species in the bichir family, they are still built like a dinosaur. They have very hard, overlapping scales that act like armor plating. Senegal bichirs also have slender, long bodies much like a snake, and spend a lot of their time walking across the Botton of the aquarium. Their pectoral and ventral fins help them with this movement which leads into the pointed tail. These fish also have a very earthy colour palette sporting shades of brown, white, and grey. Usually, the Senegal bichir has a white or cream colour underbelly leading up to a grey and finishing with a brown near the dorsal fin. The often-fun part of keeping bichirs is enjoying their primitive, predatory behavior. They have a very keen sense of smell and will often prowl the bottom of the tank in search of food.  

Breeding Senegal bichirs in captivity are possible however in Australia it is not all that common which is evident in how rare they are and the value of these fish. Females tend to be rounder than males however there are no obvious defining factors. Females will scatter eggs through the aquarium which males will then fertilize, the parents show no care for the eggs after this. The wild origin of the Senegal bichir is Africa. 

Tank Recommendations for your Senegal Bichir

Since the Senegal bichir will reach around 30cm it is best to keep them in a tank of around 200 liters. These fish need a decent footprint in the aquarium as they spend a lot of time near the bottom exploring which is why it is best to go for longer and wider tanks than taller ones. Senegal bichirs spend a lot of their time near the bottom of the tank and in the substrate. Though they can be kept in a bare bottom tank, it’s best to have a sandy substrate layer in the tank.

Rock caves and driftwood can be added for additional cover along with plants that create a natural habitat. Having a lot of sheltered areas may promote the Senegal bichir to spend more time in the open as it knows that hiding places are readily available. Senegal bichirs are tropical fish that will prefer temperatures between 24 - 27 degrees.  

Suitable Tank Buddies

Senegal bichirs can be kept together in groups or solitary. They are however opportunistic predator fish which means fish that can fit in their mouth may become a meal.
 

Usually Compatible

Ghost Knife fish, yoyo loach, clown loach, silver dollars, Jack Dempsey, and similar larger but not overly aggressive species. 

Sometimes Compatible

Oscars, festae, peacock bass, and other large but more aggressive species. Though they may not be able to eat the Senegal bichir, there is a risk of them being injured or repeatedly stressed out by these fish. 

Rarely Compatible

Swordtails, Corydoras, danios, and smaller species that will become easy prey,  

Feeding your Senegal Bichir

As the Senegal bichir lives near the bottom of the aquarium it's best to feed them sinking foods. They should take to pellets fairly easily so it is best to give them a good quality, carnivore fish pellet. They can be supplemented with frozen or live invertebrate-based foods like black worms, brine shrimp, and similar foods.