Bichir and Weather Loaches?

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Catnkit

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jun 8, 2011
270
1
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Toronto
Hey all, first ever post. I'm wondering if there is any way to keep a bichir and a pair of loaches in the same 55g tank. I know Bichirs can go as low as 77 degrees and loaches max out around 75, but what if I set my heater to 76-77 and have it on the complete opposite end of my tank to the filter? One side warm and slow, the other cooler and faster-moving.

Any ideas?

Cat
 
idk how u would get one side of the tank hotter then the other
 
King-eL said:
What species of bichirs do you have? I know weather loaches can tolerate warmer temps up to 82F. However weather loaches are actually feeders to bichirs especially in asia. Might not be a good combo.
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it's a sengalus I think. and the loaches i have are slightly longer than the bichir, so I dont think he'll ever be big enough to eat them. Can the loaches really tolerate that high a temp? I've only seen up to 75, and I thought that higher temps shortened their lifespan...

Cat
 
RiskEE said:
idk how u would get one side of the tank hotter then the other
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Small enough heater pushed in the corner of the tank, that's what I do with my cichlid tank.
 
You'd be suprised what a bichir can fit into its mouth. :)
With a senegal though, I don't see too big of an issue. They aren't overly aggressive in eating other fish. And both senegals and weathers get about the same length.
I've kept weathers in tropical tanks for years. They have no issues with the higher temps.
If you want different temps in the same tank, you better have no water flow, otherwise all the water will be the same except for when the heater is currently on. Then the surrounding area will be slightly warmer until it cycles off again.
 
JamesF said:
You'd be suprised what a bichir can fit into its mouth. :)
With a senegal though, I don't see too big of an issue. They aren't overly aggressive in eating other fish. And both senegals and weathers get about the same length.
I've kept weathers in tropical tanks for years. They have no issues with the higher temps.
If you want different temps in the same tank, you better have no water flow, otherwise all the water will be the same except for when the heater is currently on. Then the surrounding area will be slightly warmer until it cycles off again.
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Wow, okay. That really lifts my spirits! I love my pair so much, but I only have one tank big enough for fish of their adult size so it was either the loaches go or I find some way to get them all in there. If they're really okay with higher temps, then maybe I can just keep the tank at 77ish? Within the bichir's happy range but as cool as I can for the loaches?

Thanks for your help by the way. ^^

Cat
 
I just want to share my experience with one of my 6" sens. He swallowed 2 of my bala sharks 1/3 his size. After a few days it made him so bloated and he died. I thought balas were too fast for him, guess I was wrong.
 
Catnkit said:
Wow, okay. That really lifts my spirits! I love my pair so much, but I only have one tank big enough for fish of their adult size so it was either the loaches go or I find some way to get them all in there. If they're really okay with higher temps, then maybe I can just keep the tank at 77ish? Within the bichir's happy range but as cool as I can for the loaches?

Thanks for your help by the way. ^^

Cat
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Anywhere between 77-80 will be fine. Just make sure the top is damn tight fitting. Whenever a storm comes through your area the loach will go nuts. That's how I lost my last one. Found him dried up on the floor after a thunderstorm.

littlewangzfan said:
I just want to share my experience with one of my 6" sens. He swallowed 2 of my bala sharks 1/3 his size. After a few days it made him so bloated and he died. I thought balas were too fast for him, guess I was wrong.
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All fish have to rest at some time. That's when they enter the bichirs turf.
 
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