New to Bichirs, need opinions on tank mates

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Pshmock

Candiru
MFK Member
Sep 30, 2008
247
1
48
new york
Hey everyone. I was looking into getting a few Senegal bichirs and just wanted some opinions on the stock I plan to add to my 75 gallon. I have always been into oddball fish and figured Polys were a good choice for my size tank.

This is what I have so far....
2 - Senegal Bichir
1 - Peters Elephant nose
1 - African knife

Need some opinions on the current stock and also some more fish that will get along well with some bichirs.
 
Do a school of congo tetras for activity in the tank, and then finish the stock up with a delhizi, or another upper jawed species(exluding ornate). Make sure you have lots of hiding spots as the knifefish, elephant nose, and possibly the bichirs might fight over a spot.
 
From my experience Elephant Noses are gentle fish and won't fight back and your African Knife will bully him pretty hard. Other then that I don't see an issue with your stock ideas.

P.S. Make sure your lid to your tank is closed at all times, I've lost an Elephant Nose when he jumped out due to a bichir freaking out during feeding time.
 
I used to have an African Oddball Theme. I had a dozen Congo Tetras, a Syno Cat, an African Brown Knife, an Albino Senegal, and a Ctenopoma. It was a great tank. Since Albinos tend to be smaller than a normal Sen, it didn't go after the Congos. I wouldn't really recommend the Ctenopoma if you decide to get some Congo Tetras...after I saw how big they could actually get, they can easily take down those Tetras.
 
Ok, so i've updated my stock...
1x Peters elephant nose
2x Polypterus Delhezi
6 or 7 x Congo tetra
1x Synodontis Catfish
I prefer the Elephant nose over the knife, as I know that they will most likely not do well together. I also like the patterns on the delhezi better then the senegals.
Also looking for one more oddball fish to add that isn't a spotted climbing perch. Need some suggestions
 
Pshmock said:
Ok, so i've updated my stock...
1x Peters elephant nose
2x Polypterus Delhezi
6 or 7 x Congo tetra
1x Synodontis Catfish
I prefer the Elephant nose over the knife, as I know that they will most likely not do well together. I also like the patterns on the delhezi better then the senegals.
Also looking for one more oddball fish to add that isn't a spotted climbing perch. Need some suggestions
Click to expand...

Get 6 Congo Tetras, even numbers would mean no one would be left out :p I also completely agree with you on the Elephant over the Knife.
 
If you plan to add congo tetras. Stick with polypterus senegalus albino variant or polypterus mokelebembe. The regular senegalus and delhezi will take down the congo tetras during lights off. Any upper jaw bichir species at 9" are able to take down fish that are 4-4.5". Also make sure the synodontis is always full as once it go hungry it will go for the bichir's slime.
 
King-eL said:
If you plan to add congo tetras. Stick with polypterus senegalus albino variant or polypterus mokelebembe. The regular senegalus and delhezi will take down the congo tetras during lights off. Also make sure the synodontis is always full as once it go hungry it will go for the bichir's slime.
Click to expand...

Not with my experience but then again all fish are different. I would agree with you though that he should stick to small Bichirs since he's adding Tetras.
:headbang2
Senegals are awesome anyway!
 
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