Setup for Bichirs

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A

AceofAngels

Feeder Fish
Apr 1, 2009
2
0
0
36
Charlotte, NC
I've got 3 Sengal bichirs and (in process) 1 Armoured Bichir. They are all very small, only about 2 to 2 1/2 inches. I have them in a 20 gallon Wide tank (30x12) but I know I need a much bigger tank as bichir get big. I have a filter setup and an air pump because I am paranoid. Black Gravel in the bottom, working on getting decorations and hiding places. Is there anything else I need?
(Side note: I want to make my own decorations, can you submerge concrete in water without messing with the pH or dissolved minerals?)
 
What kind of filter do you have on the tank? I would go with sand instead of gravel. Bichirs been known to accidentally eat gravel which can kill them if it's too big to pass through their digestive system. And you'll also need a heater.
 
Indeed a heater will be needed. And sand is the way to go. Beyond that they will eventually need at least a 75 gallon tank. In my experience these fish grow like weeds when fed hikari sinking carnivore pellets. They breathe air so the air pump is not really necessary but it will help with circulation so I would leave it. Also please make sure your hood is escape proof they are great at escaping.
 
They can breath air, that doesn't mean they always do.


You'll need a 75 gallon tank or larger once they are adults. Bichirs are good at escaping; make sure there aren't any gaps in the lid. Short pieces of PVC are good hiding places.
 
hey glad to see another bichir keeper. i 2nd the sand substrate not only for ingestion problems but also is easier to feed meaty foods since it won't sink into the gravel causing a rotting ammonia factory. also about breathing air they actually HAVE to have access to atmospheric air. you should always leave enough space at top for them to breach, keeping in mind they can(and probably will try) escape even through small openings. egg crate works great. give them lots of hiding spots but no sharp edges. also if your using bright lights i like to use surface plants to mellow parts of the tank since they are mostly nocturnal and most avoid light.

really important to have good filtration with alot of bio because if your feeding them right (i.e. meaty foods) they put a large load on the filtration.

lastly check out the polypterus forum and read the bichirs 101 sticky by blondie. best info out there.

enjoy those poly's they're the best :)
 
sand, a heater, a bigger tank. food as listed above and most importantly that escape proff tank covering.... i just bought a albino poly today and he moved my heater and jumped out a 1 inch ish hole. depressing
 
Wow... You guys have been amazing. I got all the info I needed in less than 24 hours. And I noticed the escaping thing, I caught my biggest Senegal* sitting on the inside ledge of the tank rim.
Also, I'm in North Carolina, the Charlotte area. Any ideas on where to buy bichirs from? My girlfriend thinks they're adorable and wants to get a couple,but we don't know where to buy. Mine were a gift from a friend.




(*My apologies on the spelling the first time)
 
In the charlotte area you wont find many places that have bichirs. Fintastic might have some but i dont think they regularly stock them. If you're looking for a certain type online or worthing through fintastic is your best bet. There are are usually senegals at petsmart.
 
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