Senegal Bichir Q's

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FSM

FSM

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MFK Member
Jan 1, 2008
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How fast do they grow? And how big of a fish can they eat relative to their own size? I have a 4 inch Green Terror and I don't want to get a Bichir if there is any possibility that it will quickly outgrow the terror and eat it. And are there any dithers I could use in a 75 gallon with those that won't get eaten?

Oh, and are there any significant differences between males and females? Or are they very similar? How do you sex them?
 
FSM;1613821; said:
How fast do they grow? And how big of a fish can they eat relative to their own size? I have a 4 inch Green Terror and I don't want to get a Bichir if there is any possibility that it will quickly outgrow the terror and eat it. And are there any dithers I could use in a 75 gallon with those that won't get eaten?

Oh, and are there any significant differences between males and females? Or are they very similar? How do you sex them?
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senegals grow quick till about 7inches (other peoples have grown bigger in under a year) but usually around the 7" mark in a year. From what ive noticed in my tank, they tend to pick on anything less than half of their size.. but its always different.. so you'll just have to take a risk. Difference between male / female.. is the anal fin, i think theres a diagram of it in another topic (diagram one) you can usually tell when they get to about 5inches. Thats all i know from personal experience in having 2 of them.. im sure other people on here will help you out with the other questions,
 
Are bichirs aggressive conspecifically? I've seen pictures of tanks filled with them, so I'm assuming they aren't. Can I get 2 for my 75?
 
They are predatory in that they will eat smaller fish but not aggressive as in picking on other similar size or larger fish. I have a brown senegal 8" and a short body albino 6" senegal and they pal around together and pretty much ignore the 4" convict, 6" common pleco, and two 8" suncats they share the 75 gallon tank with.
 
How active are they when eating? I'm going to get some clown loaches, so if they take their time going for the food, it will probably get eaten.
 
Speaking for mine, my bigger senegal is right there waiting as soon as the tank lid is lifted. The albino is slower but still gets its share.
 
Well, I just got one along with 4 giant danios. I acclimated it in a bucket, and I just put it in. It is only about 3 inches long, so I was worried my GT might try and eat it. The GT didn't even notice, until I dropped a shrimp pellet (omega one, I got them too) right in front of the bichir. It tried to eat it, but the pellet must have been a bit too hard, and the GT came and chased the bichir away. I put in a few pieces of pvc, so it will have a space to hide where the GT can't get it.
 
FSM;1617945; said:
Are bichirs aggressive conspecifically? I've seen pictures of tanks filled with them, so I'm assuming they aren't. Can I get 2 for my 75?
Click to expand...


i have 2 senegals, not aggressive at all. They get along quite well in a 60 gallon.. looking to upgrade to a 90 to give them more room.
 
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