I got my first birchir yesterday.....

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Snowflake311

Snowflake311

Piranha
MFK Member
Jan 24, 2010
1,081
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81
Lake Tahoe, ca
Its been a long gime since i posted. It's been a year since I bought any cool new fish that I have been excited about. Yesterday I was at the pet store getting some stuff for a tank remodle. They had lots of fish in. So I am daydearming about what my next tank would be stocked with. Then I see them 2 little 3" Senegal birchir. I was so excited I have wanted a birchir for a long time now but could never find them in stores. It was like it was ment to be. I am selling off my true parrot this week so I have room.

I watched the little guy for awhile. I had to have him he was looking at me with those cute dog like eyes. So he now has a 10gal tank all to himself where he can grow in peace. Once he is 5" I will add him to the 100gal tank.

The Senegal birchir was not my first choice when I was doing research. I wanted the marble birchir. But when I saw this little guy I could not walk away.

Question time

1. How good of a lid will I need on my tank? Is it really common for them to get out?
2. What size fish will they not eat? I have a 5" buffalo head cichlid in the 100gal tank. Will he be safe when my birch is 10"?
3. What's the average size of these in aquariums? I read in wild they can get 20". Are they slow growers? Like my true parrot cichlid who slowed down growing at 7" but is now 9" and seems to still slowly be growing? Are they like that?
5. Any tips for a new birchir keeper?
4. Why do you love birchir?
 
Snowflake311 said:
Question time

1. How good of a lid will I need on my tank? Is it really common for them to get out?
I have kept my senegals in my 30 gallon for over a year now, with no issues of jumping...and i don't have a lid...personally i would say they aren't needed but im sure someone will tell you they are and that i'm wrong..
2. What size fish will they not eat? I have a 5" buffalo head cichlid in the 100gal tank. Will he be safe when my birch is 10"?
I wouldn't be sooooo sure, the bichir is like any other aggressive fish, it will eat whatever it can fit in it's mouth... so if its mouth is wide enough to grab the buffalohead, then yes it will.
3. What's the average size of these in aquariums? I read in wild they can get 20". Are they slow growers? Like my true parrot cichlid who slowed down growing at 7" but is now 9" and seems to still slowly be growing? Are they like that?
Mine is growing extremely slow, but it matters on what you feed, how often, tank size, and tank mates...stress...just like every other fish..but for the most part yes they grow somewhat slow...I bought mine around 2.5 inches, he is now 6..and i have had him a while..
5. Any tips for a new birchir keeper?
Pellets are much cheaper in the long run if you can get him to eat it...as my buddy did...
4. Why do you love birchir?
Click to expand...
I like the snake like look. the slender slithering type...
 
Bichirs are very good at escaping thier tank. Look at some of the past posts and you'll see a lot of people talking about losing thier bichir to jumping out. I have a 72g i'm about to stock with a few bichirs, I have every single hole plugged, there is barely a gap where the water flows from my HOB into the tank, no way for it to escape, unless I leave the glass lid open.

Jrob isn't wrong, its just that most people lose thier bichirs mainly to them jumping out of the tank. That could be the result of a chemical problem though, the bichir just trying to escape the harsh waters?..

I had a Delhezi that grew fast, I think it just depends on the food and enviroment, as mentioned. I fed mine Blood Worms and cut up Tilapia

One thing I know for sure is tight heavy lid, and no algea eaters with your bichirs, could end up with a really sick or dead bichir.

I just love them, period, they're just awesome. Most personality i've ever seen in a fish.
 
dont risk it, it might jump out, better ire on the side of caution. if the water conditions just happen to be off they will go for it.

since its so small right now i would just try to feed it blood worms or cut up earth worms, maybe some black worms. try getting it on some form of pellet tho that would be best, yes they are extremely slow growers so you must have patience.

i agree with the alge eater, they might try to eat the bichir's slime coat.
 
Hi, just wanted to say I'm also a bichir keeper and live in lake tahoe, how neat haha!

Anyways; I would have a secure lid, or other ways of preventing them getting out, like lowered water level or a rim all the way around the tank.

I doubt your senegal will ever grow large enough to take out any fish above 3-4", most captive bred senegals don't exceed 8-10"

Senegals are the slowest growing IME, I have a del and a senegal and in the same time allotted, the del probably quadrupled the sen's mass.

Feed the sen a quality pellet such as NLS, or you can go the bulking route and feed talapia etc. Earthworms are their favorite IME, also go crazy for blood worms and anything heavily sceneted. Goodluck!
 
Thanks guys great info. Woohoo another fish keeper in Tahoe. It's always good to know other fish people. I now a few fish keepers in Reno.

Here is my little birchir

Oops that's a rock.
P4166373.jpg


Mmmm this is what I was looking for.
P4166374.jpg
 
probassfisher010 said:
That's precisely why I suggest you switch to sand, polys are kinda dumb and easily ingest gravel, causing digestive issues.
Click to expand...

Exactly, sand or bare bottom is best for Polys, sand looks better though. Having a lose fitting lid with holes and gravel can double the possibility of you coming home to a dead poly, at least from what i've seen...
 
The 100gal he will be in when bigger is all sand. He spit the rock right out after he bit it. I don't think He's stupid just can't see well.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
i've got senegals. as i observe them eat, they spew out the pebbles and other small debris that ain't food. and i guess even their poo. they kinda know what to and not ingest.
and regarding lids, i believe if you can get a thick glass as cover, the better. my senegals suddenly shoots out of the water hitting the lids that kinda almost knock em off. too good their size and force ain't enough to crack nor move the thick glass lid. just being ready for other crazy jumping fishes that i maybe putting in the tank!
happy bichir keeping!
 
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