Best way to make bichirs less shy?

[asm129]

I put 4 bichirs in a new 60g tank (using an established filter from my old tank) and my bichirs barely eat anything. They just hide behind the driftwood all day. I have some lights for them, but they'll hide with the lights on and off.

I'm thinking about adding a few dither fish to my tank. What would you recommend to make bichirs hide less and come out to swim more?

 

[wolfsburgfanatic]

what type do you have? senegals are generally pretty active but it can be hit or miss with some of the other species. If it really is a new tank they're probably still settling in. They may be more active in a week or 2.

 

[xdragonxb0i]

put a picture of you near your tank. So they aren't so scared of Your face when you walk by!

but seriously, you need something that resemble a human, that they can see and be use to.

i spend like 10 minutes in front of the tank when i feed them. Now my arowanas, will come to me if im near the tank. i dont think you can hand feed birchirs; But sometimes i eveni put my hands in my tank , during feedings, and pet them.

 

[King-eL]

Adding more bichirs will help make them active. Also I notice the temperature also play a role. The higher the temp the more active they are. This because their metabolism becomes faster and they get hungry faster. Forcing them to hunt for food. Therefore they become active.

 

[vaine111]

Take out the driftwood. They still might just lay there though. Either way hiding spots for bichirs is not needed.

 

[D12DetroitD12]

As someone said above me, sens are more active and most other kinds tend to me kind of lazy and hide. But my guess would be that they just need to settle in.

 

[phillydog1958]

what type do you have? senegals are generally pretty active but it can be hit or miss with some of the other species. If it really is a new tank they're probably still settling in. They may be more active in a week or 2.

^I agree. My sens do seem to be a slight bit more active than my other bichirs. Also, give them a little more time to settle in. They will eventually come out. I feed mine with a BBQ skewer. Try placing a piece of tilapia or cut up silverside on the end of a skewer and place it right in front of your bichir. They will eventually come out to eat and become more accepting of you.

 

[asm129]

what type do you have? senegals are generally pretty active but it can be hit or miss with some of the other species. If it really is a new tank they're probably still settling in. They may be more active in a week or 2.

I have a 8" Endli, 6" Palmas Polli, 4" Del and 3.5" Ornate. I think I might add an albino sen to help get them more active.

Take out the driftwood. They still might just lay there though. Either way hiding spots for bichirs is not needed.

Really? I always thought bichirs needed hiding spots, but I've seen some people on MFK keep theirs in barebottom tanks with no rocks/driftwood. I might try that then.

 

[asm129]

Adding more bichirs will help make them active. Also I notice the temperature also play a role. The higher the temp the more active they are. This because their metabolism becomes faster and they get hungry faster. Forcing them to hunt for food. Therefore they become active.

How many would be safe to put in a 60g tank? It's 48" Long.
I already have a 8" Endli in there and he picks at the fins of my other bichirs. I have the temp at 80 right now and going to ramp it up to 85.

 

[vaine111]

Really? I always thought bichirs needed hiding spots, but I've seen some people on MFK keep theirs in barebottom tanks with no rocks/driftwood. I might try that then.

Bichirs don't need hiding spots. They like to use it for cover or to ambush prey but it is not needed.
I got sick of my endlis hiding under a big piece of driftwood and took mine out. The activity level really picked up.