How important are hides for Bichirs?

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J

jeffries

Gambusia
MFK Member
Mar 20, 2009
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Philadelphia, PA
My ornate bichir, which I had been raising since he was a baby managed to escape the tank last night and unfortunately I awoke this morning to find him dead on the carpet. I have had him for at least 2 years now and I really enjoyed having him, so I am still in a state of shock that he is gone.

The reason I am asking the question in the subject line is because when I moved him to the larger tank I had been keeping him in a couple of months ago, I did not put another hide in for him because he had outgrown his old one. Since I didn't see him much due to him always hiding, I thought it would be okay to not include a hide in the larger tank because I have seen plenty of people on the forums here that keep bichirs and don't provide hides for them.

He seemed like he was a lot easier to scare and startle without his hide. Also, during the past week, I have noticed a couple of escape attempts by him, but I was able to thwart them. Obviously, not anymore since he succeeded in getting out last night. I have also been medicating the tank for a couple of days because I think one of my other fish has a parasite.

So, do you think he was stressed and wanted to get out because he didn't have a place to hide or do you think he was trying to "get away" from the water he was in, since it has medication in it? Just trying to understand what I did wrong here, if anything.
 
I think it is really what the fish is conditioned too. My poly's have always seemed a little skittish with out cover, I have several plants in the middle of the tank which gives them some overhead cover. This seems to give them comfort and increase their activity level.
 
With hiding place or without hiding place, it's still important to have a tight cover and heavy enough for the bichir not to push it. Even with plenty of hiding space if the bichir decide to bail out it will if it finds a way out. Common mistakes with hobbyist keeping bichir is not to provide a secure lid on.
 
jeffries;4561165; said:
Ummmmmmmmm...... yeah.
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Probably not secure enough. Usually they find a way out on where you place the canister filter hoses. Cover any holes that might be a potential escape area.
 
Yeah, I have floating plants and have lots of driftwood and rocks, but my sen doesn't really hide that much. He's pretty active, but I barely ever see him jump.
 
Noa;4561277; said:
Yeah, I have floating plants and have lots of driftwood and rocks, but my sen doesn't really hide that much. He's pretty active, but I barely ever see him jump.
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most sens dont hide much but they can jump i seen 1 of mine jump about 2' outa the water
 
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