I got my first
Polypterus senegalus september 2010. He grew from a little less than 5" to 10" in six months. I think it's the incredible amount of earthworms he ate suring the autumn months.
The new
senegalus arrived in the beginning of February and has grown from 2,5" to 5" in a bit less than three months.
So... a bit less than an inch per month seems to be a young bichirs growth rate in my tank.
These guys eat a diverse variety of frozen foods and pellets. The most important items are shrimps, blue mussels, and pieces of fish fillet. I usually stuff them full of food once per day.