Dinosaur Bichir companions

[NthPvttucker]

i just bought a dinosaur bichir from a store here where it looked like it was being mistreated, the water was a brownish color and there was hardly any air in the aquarium ect, so i felt sorry for it and brought it home, he is now in my 55 gallon aquarium, currently in here i have

2 Electric Blue JD's (1 1/2 inches)
2 Chinese algae eaters ( 1 1/2 inches)
2 Black Kuhli Loaches (1 inch and 1 1/2 inches)
1 Pangsius Catfish ( 2 inches )
1 firemouth (1 1/2 inches)

and now the Dinosaur Bichir which is about 2 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long. there are plenty of hiding places, he ate alot of mysis shrimp when i fed the others so i assume he was hungry, would he be ok with the others? they arent messing with him but im more nervous about him eating them, would he do that to the other cichlids? or would he be more passive?​

 

[Racersk]

i just bought a dinosaur bichir from a store here where it looked like it was being mistreated, the water was a brownish color and there was hardly any air in the aquarium ect, so i felt sorry for it and brought it home, he is now in my 55 gallon aquarium, currently in here i have​

Nice addition. But the name is really Polypterus Senagalus Bichir, here is the Wiki description, Dinosaur or Eel doesn't normally fly on MFK with bichir's, cause that is what PetSmart calls them.

"The Senegal Bichir, Polypterus senegalus, also known as the Gray Bichir and Cuvier's Bichir, is sometimes called the "dinosaur eel" at many local pet chains - a misnomer, as the creature is not an eel. It is a fish, a prototypical species of the Polypterus genus, meaning most of its features are held across the genus."


Also, the brown tinted water was most likely the release of tannins from drift/bog wood or similar, totally natural and safe. If the tanks stunk badly-that's a serious neglect issue. Also, bichirs have an air exchange organ, similar to a simple air breathing lung, they frequently (between every 10-20 mins) will hit the surface of the water for a gulp of air. This adaptation helps them breathe in oxygen deproved water- like ponds and puddles. Because of this they really don't need alot of tank airation-good to have if other fish are in the tank, but not particularly necessary with this species.

2 Electric Blue JD's (1 1/2 inches)
2 Chinese algae eaters ( 1 1/2 inches)
2 Black Kuhli Loaches (1 inch and 1 1/2 inches)
1 Pangsius Catfish ( 2 inches )
1 firemouth (1 1/2 inches)​

Watch the algae eaters, they get aggressive when they get bigger, if you start noticing red spots or sores on your poly, rehome them or the CAE. Though this shouldn't be an issue with the current size of the bichir right now.

and now the Dinosaur Bichir which is about 2 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long. there are plenty of hiding places, he ate alot of mysis shrimp when i fed the others so i assume he was hungry, would he be ok with the others? they arent messing with him but im more nervous about him eating them, would he do that to the other cichlids? or would he be more passive?​

If it'll fit in the bichirs mouth it's considered food. My bichir's rarely are able to catch smaller fish though, they are ambush preditors-creatures of oportunity. Oh- lastly, senegal bichirs are ALWAYS hungry it's when they stop eating for days you should be worried.

Have fun with your little green 'french fry' - my nick-name for my senegal - till he looked more like a 'spud'.

 

[arowanas lover]

Hope u have a bigger tank plan when those fish are adult you'll be looking over 125g easily