Delhezi Bichir

[Hao]

Hello I am looking to get a Del for my 125 soon and was wondering if anyone who has kept bichirs could answer some questions
I know the basics size diet tank mates
1. treats what would you feed them as treats for variation?
2. Are their any diseases they are prone too?
3. Growth rate
4. How active are they?
5. is their anything else I should know about them?

1. I usually just feed my bichirs pellets, tilapia fillet, and smelts.
2. Wild caught bichirs will most likely have parasites. As for captivity bred bichirs, I'd just watch out for over feeding, could cause digestive issue for them.
3. Growth rate will vary on individual fish as it will depend on how much the fish eats, how active it is, tank size, waterchange amount, etc. In my experience, bichirs don't grow in a linear rate.
4. Activeness will also depend on the individual fish.
5. If you have anymore questions. Ask away.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

I have A bare bottom tank and have heard that gravel and small rocks are a no so im going to keep it bare bottom but would they appreciate sand or is bare bottom good? And would oscars make good tank mates?

 

[kno4te]

I have A bare bottom tank and have heard that gravel and small rocks are a no so im going to keep it bare bottom but would they appreciate sand or is bare bottom good? And would oscars make good tank mates?

Sand is preferred to see some natural burying behavior. No gravel or rocks.

 

[rigby]

I have A bare bottom tank and have heard that gravel and small rocks are a no so im going to keep it bare bottom but would they appreciate sand or is bare bottom good? And would oscars make good tank mates?

I’ve kept an oscar with my bichirs and the worst thing has happened is minor fin nipping when they swim in his territory

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

cool thanks!

 

[Hendre]

Everything you need to know about bichirs.

Everything you need to know about Bichirs. Foreword Polypterus is a genus of prehistoric fish found in Central and Northern Africa known for being one of the oldest groups of fish, having retained a similar structure for up to 100 million years. Since their scientific discovery in 1802...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

This thread has rich information about polypterus and their care.

 

[clm08k]

1. For food: I alternate pieces of small pieces of raw(frozen or fresh) tilapia and a high-quality pellet (hikari carnivore or hikari cichlid, massivore, New Life Spectrum large fish, etc.). You can definitely keep their diet varied with worms and other things though. Check out the sticky that Hendre made. It is excellent.

Would not advise feeding bloodworms or brine shrimp on a regular basis due to low nutrient content. Beef Heart is also too fatty.

2. Just like any other fish, they can get bacterial, viral, and parasite infections. Focus on keeping your water clean and treating your fish before you put them in an established tank and you'll be fine. I like to use either Paraguard to treat and Prazipro as a preventative.

3. Growth rate depends on the fish
4. It depends on the fish. Although delhezis, senegals, and pollis tend to be more active for the UJs

5. Some things I've learned so far:
- use sand, not gravel
- give polypterus at least 1in-2in of an air gap from the top of the water to the top of the tank
- cover your heater with a heater guard
- it is okay to not feed every day once they reach a certain size
- they will eat anything that can fit in their mouths
- cover any openings on the tank (they will jump out when you least expect it.....even if they have not in years.)


Also, this forum has some of the best people and you can learn a lot here. Welcome!