Albino senegal question

[TroubleTenfold]

I've been wanting a bichir for quite some time now, and am curious/confused about something I read on beblondie's great polypterid primer:

The minimum tank size for a single small species of
bichir is a tank with a footprint of 36''x12''x16'' your standard 30 gallon tank

Would this be for a fully grown smaller species like the senegal? I've heard that albinos typically top out at around 8-10 inches, would a 38 gallon with a footprint of 36"x12" be too small for it? I was considering either housing one alone or with a school of 3-4 fish that would be big enough to not be called dinner.

 

[Dr.B]

I personally would recommend a 36"x18" footprint as the minimum. But a 36"x12" would do for a good while. What fish are you planning to add as tankmates?

 

[TroubleTenfold]

I personally would recommend a 36"x18" footprint as the minimum. But a 36"x12" would do for a good while. What fish are you planning to add as tankmates?

Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to upgrade a tank size for quite some time. If a senegal wouldn't be comfortable in this size as an adult I can't in good conscience consider keeping one for the time being. (As for tank mates, I was considering 3 or 4 rosy barbs since they get to about 5.5-6 inches.)
Thanks for the advice.

 

[Dr.B]

How long until you would be able to upgrade?

 

[TroubleTenfold]

How long until you would be able to upgrade?

Unless I miraculously find my receipt, wrestle my tank back into my car and can make a return... a year minimum.
... I wonder where that receipt is.

 

[Dr.B]

If you get it small it should be able to do fine in there for a year and a half to 2 years. As far as rosy barbs. You'd have to get them large and hope the bichir doesn't out grow them. However I can't see the bichir out growing them if you get the bichir small and barbs large.

 

[Dr.B]

I'm also not sure where you live, but petco and petsmart usually have sales where you can get 40B (36"x18") for either $40 for just the tank (petco $ per gallon sale) or $80 with glass tops and a light (petsmart $2 per gallon sale.

 

[TroubleTenfold]

I'm also not sure where you live, but petco and petsmart usually have sales where you can get 40B (36"x18") for either $40 for just the tank (petco $ per gallon sale) or $80 with glass tops and a light (petsmart $2 per gallon sale.

I just dropped a bunch of money on my current tank and stand, so I can't really afford to get a new tank and stand unless I returned this one. I'm not even sure I can return them, honestly. If I could find my receipt I might consider trying. Dumb question probably, but are stands for a 40B readily available or is that something I'd have to order?

 

[Dr.B]

They are usually something you either have to make or buy from someone else. That's why I keep one of my 40B on a dresser, but you could probably put it on any sturdy piece of furniture. You'll have to get a stand eventually, but it gives you a ton of time to find one.

 

[TroubleTenfold]

They are usually something you either have to make or buy from someone else. That's why I keep one of my 40B on a dresser, but you could probably put it on any sturdy piece of furniture. You'll have to get a stand eventually, but it gives you a ton of time to find one.

Thank you for all of your help. I contacted Petco, and they're willing to let me make an exchange. I am concerned about the stand because I know I don't have any furniture sturdy enough to hold the tank, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.