Just some questions on Senegal bichirs (polypterus senegalus)

[TheCatfishAccumulator]

I am considering getting a albino Senegal bichir and should like to know a few things:

What are some of the basic care requirements?

How big do they get as I have seen very mixed results all across the internet.

Would it try and eat my L129 Colombian zebra plecos, as bichirs are known to eat small fish.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tlindsey]

What are some of the basic care requirements?

1. You must lower water level 1"or 2" so Albino Senegal can come up and collect air.
2. Make sure the bichir gets food most fish will out compete them for food.
3.Cover all gaps of hood/lid or the bichir may find away out.
4. Don't put any aggressive fish with them.
5. Sand is the best substrate for any bichir imo.
6. Any fish small enough to fit in the albino senegal mouth may be a risk to be eaten.

 

[CatfishEnjoyer313]

I am considering getting a albino Senegal bichir and should like to know a few things:

What are some of the basic care requirements?

How big do they get as I have seen very mixed results all across the internet.

Would it try and eat my L129 Colombian zebra plecos, as bichirs are known to eat small fish.

Thanks in advance.

They are the smallest of the Bichirs, but can still get up to a foot in length sometimes. A 50 gallon or more would be sufficient for a couple full sized senegals.

 

[CatfishEnjoyer313]

I am considering getting a albino Senegal bichir and should like to know a few things:

What are some of the basic care requirements?

How big do they get as I have seen very mixed results all across the internet.

Would it try and eat my L129 Colombian zebra plecos, as bichirs are known to eat small fish.

Thanks in advance.

They will eat anything that moves a lot (bichirs are mostly blind and can only really see movement), and anything they can fit in their mouth. Pleco's seem to be fine because they are armored and don't move around a lot, i've got a baby bristlenose in with 3 adult senegals at work. If you have lots of hiding spots they should be fine.

 

[Caveden]

1. You must lower water level 1"or 2" so Albino Senegal can come up and collect air.
2. Make sure the bichir gets food most fish will out compete them for food.
3.Cover all gaps of hood/lid or the bichir may find away out.
4. Don't put any aggressive fish with them.
5. Sand is the best substrate for any bichir imo.
6. Any fish small enough to fit in the albino senegal mouth may be a risk to be eaten.

If kept properly cb albino senegalus will reach 9-10” in length, rarely 11-12”.

 

[tlindsey]

They will eat anything that moves a lot (bichirs are mostly blind and can only really see movement), and anything they can fit in their mouth. Pleco's seem to be fine because they are armored and don't move around a lot, i've got a baby bristlenose in with 3 adult senegals at work. If you have lots of hiding spots they should be fine.

If kept properly cb albino senegalus will reach 9-10” in length, rarely 11-12”.

That's true.