My New Baby: Wden

Hi! Welcome to MFK! What size tank is he in? And will this be his permanent tank?

I wouldnt use goldfish as feeders, i really dislike goldies for that, if you need live, i would make sure you get nice clean and healthy guppies or ghost shrimp. Feed him bloodworms if hes small and doesnt hurt as a snack for adults, but also try things like tilipia and shrimp and a high quality pellet food.

What is the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels? If your tank has only been set up for 2 weeks then i would be inclined to say you haven cycled it right? Cycling is where you add artificial ammonia over a period of time to build up beneficial bacteria in your filters which then eat your fishes waste and keeps your water clean, but you still need regular maintenance.

Hope you enjoy your new bichir, and just know you can never stop at once!

welcome! I would agree with the post above, keep an eye out on the ammonia. Unless you use a filter from an established tank, two weeks isn't enough to cycle a tank. I am not sure if you're new to the hobby, but if you are google or you tube how to cycle a fish tank. There is a ton of info out there, and of course you can post here for help too. I've seen a lot of people have luck with Tetra Safe Start for starting a new tank too

I love Tetra Safe Start for cycling, especially when you already have fish

Tbh im not a huge fan of tetra safe start, a waste of money if you ask me, beneficial bacteria lives on hard surfaces in a tank, so there isnt much help from these bottles but there still is benefit in it, so if you want to buy that product go ahead, the best thing to help cycle a tank is to use some media from the filter of a already established tank.

The water has not been cycled if the ammonia is at .5ppm it should be at 0ppm, also you should be showing some nitrates by now so id say your cycle is just starting and that ornate is going to have some stress from the levels in the tank.

How big is the tank? I would do a large water changed to lower the ammonia, and do water changes every time ammonia or nitrites go above 0. You are doing what is called a fish-in cycle.

Your welcome, do you know the tank size though? I apologize if im coming off a little blunt, just want to help you and your fish.