Bichirs in Cichlid tanks. . .

[revkkoolaid]

How well do bichirs do in typically crowded african cichlid tanks?

I was thinking about adding one to my 55 gallon african tank.
I have 2 small senegals but I was thinking about buying a a larger one , say 6 or 7''
to put in the cich tank. . . . Do you think it would be okay?

revkkoolaid

 

[Vince]

Long as the cichlids wont fit in the bichirs mouth, should be OK. The bichirs might not be able to eat since the cichlids are quick to get to the food.

 

[wild caught]

i used to keep a reed fish with my other african fish, including my cichlids. they were fine until a cichlid bit one of his his pectoral fins. it got infected and he died at a length of 22"....i hope u have better luck with your senegals.

 

[mudskipper]

I have my 5" bicher in with a 10" king kong blood parrot, 2.5" red devil, 2" jack dempsey, 5" lace syno, and a 10" pleco. He thrives. His only problem is that the red deil can strech its mouth and is always going after his feeders. so I have to add 2 dozen feeder gups to destract the RD.

 

[cmersits]

I had one labardo (not sure of spelling) african chiclid (about 2-3 inches) in my 55 gal with a senegal (4-5 inches) and the chiclid would always pick on the senegal so I moved the chichlid to my sisters small tank

The fighting was nothing too serious, but I love my bichir more . just make sure the bichirs have a few hiding spots and it should be fine

 

[Burbotman]

I currently have 3 bichers housed with some large SA and CA cichlids. There has never been any aggrssion towards the bichers by the cichlids. The challenge is to ensure they get food-My cichlids are hogs.

I set up a little "cave" in one corner of the tank which allows me to use a feeding tube to drop food into it, only the bichers can get in to feed.

Now whenever they see the white tube they rush to the little "cave"

 

[bOTTOMdWELLER]

Great Idea! I'm about to put a 4" Ornate into a a tank of mostly New World cichlids....I was sondering how it would fare in the typical feeding frenzy.

 

[Loubard]

Be shure to give them a hiding place to escape the possible cichlid attacks.

 

[mudskipper]

my 55: 10" king kong blood parrot, 10" pleco, 12" carapo knife, 2" Jack Dempsey, 2.5-3" red devil, and 5 inch bicher. he mainly lives in a HUGE bushy false plant, or one of the caves i descined for only it to enter. I know its a littleoverstocked, but I am taking care of it. the divider came down today

 

[mcblack]

give them lots of hiding places, have a way to feed them because bichirs eat slow and are bottom feeders