I love the way you're thinking of getting A SOLITARY bichir. It is an addiction. You will not stop at one. Once you start you can not stop.
My first was a pair of senegals, very very active and fun fellows, followed by an ornate, then another little senegal, then i just couldn't help myself and i've recently invested in the big guy, an endlicheri congicus
my senegals are 11" x 2, and 6", my ornate 13" and my endli is just under 12" (from 5" 9 weeks ago!!!!).
agree on the sb's, not for me.