How Many Bichirs Could I Have?

[Prinxe]

Currently, I have one P. Senegalus that is about a year old. He is the most amazing fish I've ever owned so of course it makes me want more! As of now I have him in a 55g long with a young Red-tailed Shark, a Common Pleco, and an African Cichlid that I bred myself in highschool. I know that this is a small tank for him and other fish in there in the long run but trust that in a couple years (1-2) I will be getting a 150g-180g. Since I have loved this fish so much I absolutely want to have more. Could I get another young Bichir in that tank? I'll admit my cichlid is mean at times, however, she did well while my current bichir was small and her only real issue is being a hog for both attention and food. It's also a well planted tank with rocks and driftwood to hide in.

So if the answer is yes I can have another, what would be my species options? I don't want to be unable to tell the two apart so I'm considering an albino senegal but I'd love to know more about my options.

If the answer is no, will I have an issue in the future with a young bichir being in with an adult?

And for your time, my Bichir's sweet little face and a full shot of the tank (a little old so the plants have grown a good bit since then)

 

[Prinxe]

I should mention, only the cichlid is full grown in this tank, everyone else is a year old or younger, so no one is approaching full size any time soon.

 

[tlindsey]

Could I get another young Bichir in that tank? I'll admit my cichlid is mean at times, however, she did well while my current bichir was small and her only real issue is being a hog for both attention and food. It's also a well planted tank

Welcome aboard
Yes you could add another but make sure the Senegal Bichir is large enough not to be eaten. Also there are two types of Senegal bichir one is captive bred and the wild caught Senegal from lake Turkana. The lake Turkana senegal can grow 1ft or more.
I personally have captive bred Senegal bichir myself. They are my favorite also.

 

[rayoddballfish]

Yes you can definitely keep more than one bichir together and in the wild (as well as in aquaria) they form packs like wolves and have their own hierarchy so getting a group would be ideal. Depending on the overall stocking, you can pretty much go with every species if you do plan to upgrade to a 150g or 180g, with the exception of maybe some large wild caught bichirs like a PBB or Congicus. Most bichirs should get under 2 ft which is around the width of a 150-180g. If possible, try to get a tank with more width (2.5-3 ft is ideal).

Adding to what tlindsey said, outside of the upper jaw and lower jaw bichir species, there are also differences in appearance and growth in wild caught vs captive breed specimens. Most baby bichirs 2-5 inch are all captive breed mainly Indonesia and these tend to get on the smaller side. You Senegal is a captive breed specimen. On the other hand, there are wild bichirs. The most common wild caught senegal bichirs are nigerian senegal bichir (named due to catchpoint location), but there is also a more sought after and rare lake Turkana Senegal which has a much different appearance than the average wild Senegal and can grow 16+ inch with the biggest measuring around 20 inch in length if I'm not mistaken.

If I were you, I'd look at some of the different species of bichir and determine which ones sizes best fit your future aquarium and maybe grow some small ones out with your Senegal in the 55 while looking for an upgrade when the time comes. Also wanted to add, amazing looking planted tank. I know outside of aesthetic your Senegal much very much appreciate it!

 

[Prinxe]

Yes you can definitely keep more than one bichir together and in the wild (as well as in aquaria) they form packs like wolves and have their own hierarchy so getting a group would be ideal. Depending on the overall stocking, you can pretty much go with every species if you do plan to upgrade to a 150g or 180g, with the exception of maybe some large wild caught bichirs like a PBB or Congicus. Most bichirs should get under 2 ft which is around the width of a 150-180g. If possible, try to get a tank with more width (2.5-3 ft is ideal).

Adding to what tlindsey said, outside of the upper jaw and lower jaw bichir species, there are also differences in appearance and growth in wild caught vs captive breed specimens. Most baby bichirs 2-5 inch are all captive breed mainly Indonesia and these tend to get on the smaller side. You Senegal is a captive breed specimen. On the other hand, there are wild bichirs. The most common wild caught senegal bichirs are nigerian senegal bichir (named due to catchpoint location), but there is also a more sought after and rare lake Turkana Senegal which has a much different appearance than the average wild Senegal and can grow 16+ inch with the biggest measuring around 20 inch in length if I'm not mistaken.

If I were you, I'd look at some of the different species of bichir and determine which ones sizes best fit your future aquarium and maybe grow some small ones out with your Senegal in the 55 while looking for an upgrade when the time comes. Also wanted to add, amazing looking planted tank. I know outside of aesthetic your Senegal much very much appreciate it!

Thank you for such a detailed response! I actually ended up finding a P. Mokelebembe at my LFS when I went to look for some new plants. I still want to get an Albino Senegal for the tank but I'll have to wait till they get one in.

Also, aquascaping is one of my favorite parts of keeping aquariums and I try to create environments specially for each species so I greatly appreciate the compliment.