Decided on bichirs

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E

Etan

Candiru
MFK Member
Feb 2, 2011
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My 75 is now empty with a fresh substrate of pool filter sand. After a lot of thought I've decided to try my hand at keeping bichirs. I've been in the hobby about 20 years and these magnificent creatures have always intrigued me.

I'm going to get a pair of delhezis and probably 10 congo tetras. I would like a couple of medium size cichlids to go in the tank as well so I would like some suggestions.

For filtration I'm running an XP3 and an Aquatop 500. As far as structures in the tank I am going to try to find a nice piece of driftwood and silk plants.

If you think I still have room a nice catfish would be nice to have as well. Any suggestions on specific sydontis that work well with my proposed stock? I've been doing my research but is there anything in particular I really need to be aware of keeping bichirs? Thanks.
 
you should be aware that bichirs are underrated hunters. those Congo tetras will be picked off one by one if they are too small. Bichirs might seem like lazy fish but at night, they go crazy for food.
My 5 inch weeksii managed to take down my entire colony of eight 3 inch clown loaches.
 
lix.ma14 said:
you should be aware that bichirs are underrated hunters. those Congo tetras will be picked off one by one if they are too small. Bichirs might seem like lazy fish but at night, they go crazy for food.
My 5 inch weeksii managed to take down my entire colony of eight 3 inch clown loaches.
Click to expand...

+1. Its like one of those scary movie lines: "You don't know what happens in the dark" lol.

Op, you're right, these fish are really interesting. I love it when my fish go up to the surface to get a gulp of air. So freaking graceful.. Until they reach the top and hurry back down like frightened little kittens. Still awesome tho.

Go get some butterfly fish or maybe a severum. Or maybe even get more polys of diff species. :bd


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Good luck with those congos. I jumped on them when a lfs had them (only time I've ever seen them in my area). They were small and expensive, my Senegal ended up with a $40 snack over the course of a couple weeks :(
 
i'm not a huge fan of bichirs with cichlids. It just doesn't look right to me. bichirs have a prehistoric feel while the cichlids have a "new world" look if you know what I mean. lol
I would do an african theme for the tank.

If I were you I would have 2-4 upper jawed bichirs (minus ornates and weeksis) and I would have a few african butterfly fish, one or two ctenopomas or brown knifefish.
 
My polys with the exception of my Senegal's get to food slowly, choose Cichlid tank mates carefully:)
 
Maybe the ctenopomas or brown knife, had juvenile Senegal's with my African butterfly fish , and juvenile sen's would snap at African butterfly fish eventually had to remove poly's:)
 
Yep, like what they said, most of the cihclids, being territorial, would give some blows on your bichirs, they're pretty docile when it's lights on so they won't fight back, but when at night, there are reported cases even with large tankmates, bichirs tends to give them a bite, example are silver dollars, you'll be surprised the head/tail/ fin is missing. Also, most cichlids are fast when they compete for food at daytime your chillaxed bichirs won't be able to grab a bite. You will be able to feed them only at night if you ever decided to.
 
Have five Silver Dollars with my bichir , never had issue with torn fins or bite marks aquarium is a 180.
 
Ornates are too large for a 75 from what I've been reading. I"ve had butterflys before and I don"t really care for them, a knife and Ctenopomas I would be willing to do again. You are right about congos being expensive feeders. Im trying to find some sort of schooling fish to give the tank some more activity. I figured congos were big enough but maybe not.
 
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