New to MFK :) Need Help/Advice

[Dyldorf]

Hello MFK People! I come in peace! And I apologize in advance if this is where I should not be posting!

So here it goes,

I am a new owner of a 135 gallon fish tank! (6ft long tank). I did a lot of research on different kinds of fish and finally chose that I wanted to own Bichir. A few days ago I bought 2 Dinosaur Bichir from petsmart...(Senegal Bichir are the correct name I believe). They have been a joy to have so far! However, I do have some concerns/questions. I would say that they are both anywhere from 2-2.5" in length. (Little boogers compared to others I've seen). In the morning around 8:00 a.m. I feed them about 5 freeze dried bloodworms, and at about 6:30 p.m. I feed them another 5. (When I say 5 I mean 5 between the two of them, so a total of 10). They love them a lot but i'm not sure exactly what they need for a stable diet to be nice and healthy. I was doing some web surfing earlier today and noticed that a lot of Bichir owners say that Hikari Sinking Carnivore Pellets work wonders with these little fellas. So I went on ebay and bought a 2 ounce pack of them. If someone could tell me exactly what I should feed them, how often, how much, and all the good stuff that these beautiful creatures require that would be lovely! Thanks again to whoever helps me out!

D

 

[lix.ma14]

good job and welcome! I would personnally feed them once every night before you go to bed. The sfood I feed my bichir are hikiri carnivour pellets, talapia, shrimp, salmon, and some sinking worm pellets. A balanced diet is key. Bllood worms are great for little growing bichirs. Leaner beef hearts and catfish fillet will also boost the bichirs size.

Good luck. I would get more bichirs!

 

[Dyldorf]

good job and welcome! I would personnally feed them once every night before you go to bed. The sfood I feed my bichir are hikiri carnivour pellets, talapia, shrimp, salmon, and some sinking worm pellets. A balanced diet is key. Bllood worms are great for little growing bichirs. Leaner beef hearts and catfish fillet will also boost the bichirs size.

Good luck. I would get more bichirs!

Thanks for the awesome info! I really appreciate it! I have just one more question, how many bloodworms should I feed the 2 bichirs at night before I go to bed?

 

[thatrandomfishkeeper]

I do believe that you could do with some ropefish, theyre so much fun! And I feed my bichir (4-5") nightly with flake food, shrimp pellets and freeze dried blood worms, frozen bloodworms for everyone every other night, and brine shrimp weekly. I would feed more variety, but the parents simply wont allow.... I also give him red wigglers as treats. Id say, just put a small pinch in there, and if they eat it all, continue to put that amount, maybe slightly more in there each night and make sure they consume it all. This is what I have done and have gotten about 2 inches of growth out of him in two months, which is pretty average. Although, you sound like you're on the right track, keep up the good work and congratulations!

 

[cacichilds]

If you can I would try to ad a more unique one. Personally I would look around and wait rather than adding something common. Poly do really, really well in groups I've seen. They also are pretty tough and lots of people keep them with cichlids where as other species fail. What size tank are you working with also, because some of these species get quite large. They do not need immense swimming space but it never hurts. They aren't like a Gar or big Cat, Knife fish which really needs something like a 6' tank or more.

 

[lix.ma14]

Thanks for the awesome info! I really appreciate it! I have just one more question, how many bloodworms should I feed the 2 bichirs at night before I go to bed?

a pinchful each perhap?